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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This is the kind of dangerous rhetoric that is making the political environment so toxic. Our elected officials are supposed to act like adults and work for the good of the people, not shout at one another and use harsh rhetoric when they don't agree with something.
It's only gonna get worse!
Ladies and gentlemen, meet your GOP 2012 presidential candidate. Wheeeeee....
I strongly support you sir! You voted your conscience and stated a fact! Don't back down! The worthless decree or compromise by the president will not trumph a law. Silly democrats. But, then again, thanks, Republicans will win easily in November.
Small wonder, he's from TX, our national religious wackaloon state.
totally wrong on so many levels
im sick to death of insensitive misplaced comments by the gop.the democratic congressman clearly voted in favor of the bill with reservations due to his abortion stance. the gop just showboats hopefully to their own detriment. hurray for the democrats...
I wonder how many babies him and his wife have killed?? You know its more ways to kill a fetus then abortion!!
Of course it's a Texan!
Texas congressman, thank you for having the good grace to admit to it. Jane
It's amazing how Republicans think they can say what they want and then apologize and it would all be like it was never said. They know what they are doing when they do these things. Congressman Joe "You Lie" Wilson knew what he was doing when he called the President a liar on national TV. It is a shame that Republicans rely on fear to try and stop a bill because they have no other ideas and think the people of this country are stupid.
another republican confused by the facts. We live in a sorry Country.
He has room to talk. He probably voted to send us to Iraq where over 4,000 of our babies have died. I hate Republicans!
These politicians disgust me. They know we have serious financial and economic problems, however they continue to spend and mortgage our futures. What ever happened to working together for a better tommorow. My opinion, If they are IN now, they are OUT next election. Maybe the new blood will get the message and learn how to be "real conservatives", not cronies for the STATUS QUO. Maranatha LORD (come quickly)
First, South Carolina. Now, Texas.
Maybe secession wasn't such a bad idea after all.
He should be chastised and censored. Go figure – A TEXAN from the home state of the 8 year do-nothing George Bush!
Typical right wing nut job, if anything this bill will help save lives, not only the unborn, but the born as well.
Anyone who believes his explanation also believes in death panels and that the government just took over healthcare, so he's safe.
They ALL LIE.
Atleast he was being honest...That's more than I can say about any of the Democrats who for this crap.
"Misconstrued?" Give me a break.
Typical Republican way of dealing with controversy. No class, disgusting and emabarrassing.
If one is so weak, he can't control his emotions, how can he work for the people of Texas. Perhaps Mr. Neugebauer is in the wrong profession. At least he "fessed" up. It seems to me, more and more white people disrespect our country and it's principles. Why? I do not know.
How uncouth and shameful. Why do we vote people into office that cannot act like adults? Clearly, the behavior of the republicans during this weekend illustrates how little respect they have for our government or the citizens of our government. There should be a law that states if politicans can't act like adults they should be expelled or given a hefty fine. Foreign countries must think we are very foolish.
And it was reported out of context.
The Party of Personal Responsibility.
Congressman Randy Neugerbauer R-Texas Is A Disgrace! He Can Attempt To Fix His Comments All He Wants, But He Can't Change That He Both Said And Meant Them.
I hate how the public is going to make another member of the house feel guilty for doing what I wish they would all do,,,,,,,,tell the truth. When we heard, "You Lie," in reference to Obama, it was true. When Rep. Randy Neugebauer said, "It's a baby killer," he was right. This bill will allow the largest increase to the funding of abortion in the history of the U.S. It is truly sad that our congress saw it fit to allow the genocide of so many innocent unborn children. I thought the democrats were angered by the senseless loss of life in the Iraq war. I agree with you there, why can't you agree that this is another senseless loss of life. God help us all...