WASHINGTON (CNN) – Florida Democrat Rep. Alan Grayson issued a written apology Tuesday evening for a comment for a month-old comment that has stirred controversy on Capitol Hill in recent days.
During a September radio interview, Grayson called Linda Robertson, an aide to Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke who has also worked as a lobbyist, a "K Street whore."
In a statement issued Tuesday evening, Grayson said his comment was inappropriate.
"I offer my sincere apology," Grayson said in the statement, "I did not intend to use a term that is often, and correctly, seen as disrespectful of women.
"This characterization of Ms. Robertson, made during a radio interview last month in the context of the debate over whether the Federal Reserve should be independently audited, was inappropriate, and I apologize."
Just hours earlier, a spokesman for Grayson had defended the comment in a statement to CNN.
"She actually questioned his understanding of the difference between fiscal and monetary policy," Grayson spokesman Todd Jurowski said in the earlier statement. "She had the audacity to attack a congressman who used to be an economist. She's a career lobbyist who used to work for Enron and advocates for whatever she gets paid to promote."
The freshman Democrat recently grabbed the national spotlight after saying in a speech on the House floor that the Republican health care plan is "Don't get sick, and if you do get sick, die quickly."
Related: In Grayson, liberals see health care hero
–CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney contributed to this report.
From CNN Politics
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You Democrats need to muzzle this idiot. You complain ad nauseam about Limbaugh, who isn't even an elected official. This jerk is a member of Congress and acts like a 5 year old. Some change. Can't wait for 2010 so we can change back!
this guy is an idiot
Somebody needs to stuff a towel down the throat of this blowhard pig! P
Pleazzzz vote this idiot out of office Floridians!
Well..wrong is wrong, and it's good that he has apologized. I wonder why people say things they know to be offensive only to apologize later when called on the carpet? This health care debate has brought out the best and worst in some people. In Gray's case, unfortunately, it has brought out both. Pity.
Thank you Rep. Grayson. You will help our 2010 efforts a great deal!
He's heading down the path of not being reelected....
Amazing the double standard and how hypocritical the libs/dems are about people like this. Any time a repub or conservative slipped or made an off hand remark, race baiters and conmen duo Jackson/Sharpton and the ultra left whacks would be screaming, riots in the streets boycotts and so on. These people are totally intolerant of free speech and opinion, and that is scary.
I love that he didn't take the comment back he just apologized to women for using a derogatory female remark.
If he were referring to a male lobbyist he would not have had to apologize.
Grayson is not sorry. He is just trying to deflect the heat he is taking. He is an absolute joke and disgrace to all Americans that he represents!!
Grayson seems like a classy fellow.
Okay, apology deserved and made. Let's move on.
Bad choice of words, but it sounds like she fits the bill in a rhetorical sense.
Our love for money and power won't damage any bit of a lobbyist no matter what you call him or her. It seems more common for women than men in the lobbying industry. I guess women work more effectively in persuading powerful men in Congress. Some day we will hear our young men and women to want to become a lobbyist when they grow up.
That is a pretty good apology but where is his apology to prostitutes for comparing them to lobyists.
This guy looks like he is one of them.
Sincere apology? Yeh right! The smirk on his mug says it all!
Why apologize for saying the TRUTH !
Its a sad day in this Country when the people Representing "The People" are seeking so low as to name calling in a public forum. Obviously this mans intelligence has been challenged, and its even more obvious that he has failed that challenge!!
Where is the collaboration....guys like this need to be voted out. We will never get along with people like this.
Utterly ridiculous, govern your own actions- either bless or curse someone with your words...
Rep. Grayson should resign. We don't need people like him in office. He would be feeling pressure if it were a comment towards a minority. Why not a comment towards a woman?
Linda Robertson should go smack grayson's big fat ugly face off.
Stupid and unforgiveable comment.
Yep, your just a big mouth jerk, calling anybody names such as you did. I watch you on TV and said the same thing about you then too. You certainly don't belong in Washington, with your attitude. That's my two cents.