Washington (CNN) – A Texas Republican acknowledged on Monday that he was the person who yelled "baby killer" during Sunday's House debate on health care reform.
Related: Neugebauer should apologize to the House, Dem says
Rep. Randy Neugebauer said he shouted out "'it's a baby killer' in reference to the agreement reached by the Democratic leadership" on compromise language that emphasized federal funds would not be used to pay for abortions.
Michigan Rep. Bart Stupak was on the House floor talking about the issue at the time of Neugebauer's outburst. Stupak was the leader of a group of anti-abortion rights Democrats who refused to back health care reform unless their concerns were addressed.
In a statement released by his office, Neugerbauer said that his comments have been misconstrued.
"Last night was the climax of weeks and months of debate on a health care bill that my constituents fear and do not support," he said. "In the heat and emotion of the debate, I exclaimed the phrase 'it's a baby killer' in reference to the agreement reached by the Democratic leadership. While I remain heartbroken over the passage of this bill and the tragic consequences it will have for the unborn, I deeply regret that my actions were mistakenly interpreted as a direct reference to Congressman Stupak himself.
"I have apologized to Mr. Stupak and also apologize to my colleagues for the manner in which I expressed my disappointment about the bill. The House Chamber is a place of decorum and respect. The timing and tone of my comment last night was inappropriate."
–CNN's Brianna Keilar contributed to this report
Follow Charles Riley on Twitter: @CRrileyCNN
From CNN Politics
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Misconstrued (mis kus strood)- the Republican way of begging "Please don't hold me accountable for my despicable and irresponsible language!" don't want to be
Throw this hypocrite lackey out of office! If he truly cared about abortion he would be going after the only group who actually pays for abortions...the insurance industry! This Republican is a disgrace!
These is just the thing a republican would do. I suppose all his republican friends stand by him. This is really shameful.
"misconstrued", my aunt fanny! How many ways can you interpret "baby killer"? Yelling out 'baby killer' in open session, before an increasingly disgusted American populace is ignorant and heinous; it does NOT matter if he meant Stupak was the baby killer or the Democrats were the baby killer. Mr. Neugebauer needs to get some anger management therapy – god knows he can afford it and if not, it's covered by HIS wonderful public option health plan. He's from Texas? Well, was there ever any doubt????
And we're stupid enough to elect him to represent our state?
Misconstrued? Funny, I've listed to the tape several times and don't hear "it's a" – just "baby killer."
And, BTW, it's ok for you to be inappropriate because 'last night was the climax of weeks and months of debate." Sounds like an excuse to me.
IDo you allow excuses for those convicted in Texas before you kill them via your capital punishment laws? I think not! So why should we accept your excuse?
This is just a lame excuse to try and clear himself from what he knows he did, he did NOT say it is a baby killer, he called Stupak a baby killer, hope he can hold his head high in church next Sunday, he should be very proud of himself and the disgraceful party he belongs to. LIAR!!!!!!!
Oh gosh! the world has changed up-side-down. The man doesn't look uncivilised on this photo!
Does this man think anyone beleives what he says today or what we heard with our own ears last night. Being from Texas his ignorance is probably what helped him get elected in the first place.
"Neugerbauer said that his comments have been misconstrued."
I meant baby killer in a good way. You're a good baby killer.
And wouldn't this help to explain why he waited so long to confess.
Reported by CNN and MSNBC. Funny, Fox News is still looking for the "allegedly" Republican perpetrator.
He indeed may have made this remark, although given the current envirnment i wouldnt doubt if he did yell just baby killer. Either way, it was not only inappropriate, but also fictitious. As most of the opposition are.
This man would be the first to cry foul if anyone interupted his presentation. He deserves the respect he gives! Someone should shout him down!
Exactly what we've come to expect from Republican party office holders.
Thank God someone had the courage to stand up and speak the truth! Stupak is no friend of the pro-life advocates!
Shame on you!
Stay classy GOP. It's you twits who cry ad nauseum about the loss of values, manners and civility. Then your peeps get out there and call the POTUS a liar, shout racial and homophobic slurs and accuse a staunch pro-lifer a baby killer when you aren't getting your way.
How can you sleep at night?
This brainless yahoo should be fined for his obnoxious behavior. Typical American power broker: do what you want then hold a press conference and cry crocodile tears. He's vile.
Why I am not suprise what do you expect from the GOP
He is just another stupid republican congressman. He gets his intelligence from Bushy Boy.
These GOP (including Senators/ House Representatives and all those who vote for them) are truly the vermin (rats and lice) of America and we should work hard to marginalize them as soon as possible before they bring down not just our society, but the entire world.
The lack of control that the GOP has on their behavior is becoming a pattern.
This is the kind of behavior that makes the U.S. Congress look childish and ignorant. Mr. Neugerbauer; why don't you worry more about those children who are living in this country today without health insurance? You make me sick.
Yeah right. You meant to say it. These republicans are out the door in November. Just like the people yelling racial remarks at congressmen on Saturday.
We are all "pro-life", even those of us who support a woman's right to choose. No want wants more abortions to occur, certainly no practicing physician such as myself. People need to realize that this health reform bill will allow more women to plan their futures, and allow more women to feel confident that they and their children will have adequate health care.