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 could be a good test to reveal the true color of those who claim to be self-righteousness, holier-than-thou, and/or religious.
It's a deranged and cold-hearted society that can have their representatives pass a bill for all those OUTSIDE the womb while innocent babies continue to be slaughtered INSIDE the womb.
Misconstrued huh? Sure! This is exceptionally hard to believe given the recent behavior of many Republicans in congress.
What an uncivilized jerk- to yell something like that in the House chamber. I may not agree with many Southerners' political views, but I had previously, in my visits to areas of the South, found them to be among the most civil, well-mannered people on the Earth. This man is an abomination, an embarrassment to his party, his state, and to the Congress of the United States. Fellow Congressman must be allowed to vote their conscience, and state their views without harrassment.
This man is a fool.
This is par for the course
This is just another example of how the right wing republicans show utter contempt for this White House. Never in all my 55 years have a ever seen such behavior .These creatons cannot stand that a Black American is in the white house other as a cleaner, cook, or gardner.
The republicans have acted as traitors to America pushing their own personal and paid for by lobbyists agendas and should be at the lest elected out of office.
People with weak stomachs would be
well advised to never watch the British
Parliament debate an issue on public
television.
And from what I've read on American
history, there was a time in D.C. that
our leaders were very verbal with one
another. Those are the leaders who built
this country. Opinions should not be censored
just because of decorum.
Yeah, and the tea partiers shouting racial slurs are just "venting off steam."
Whatever helps you sleep at night.
Randy, Randy, Randy. Blame it on the 'others', misconstruing your message. Bet you will get lots of back slaps among your cronies for your courage.
You are a disgrace to public office, you take the civil out of debate. In another age, you would be an anonymous backstabber, now you are just a pathetic old man. Be sure to go to church this Sunday.
This guy is disgusting !!! How dare he ???? once again it is from a RED State. Hate think what he is going to be like when the GOP makes little if any gains in November.
The man should be censored for his junior high like behavior. His reasons do not excuse him. As for his fear for the unborn? HA. It's an excuse!
His NO vote proves he and his entire party in the House ONLY care about the unborn. It's obvious that neither Mr. Neugebauer nor any other Republican care about the welfare of the LIVING.
Texas has become so far right it should secede. Its fanatics are out of control.
What a crock. That's not what he said, I listened to it over and over. These guys say so many stupid things without thinking them through first, that it surprises me why they even get embarrassed whey they're caught. This guy is a joke.
It blows my mind that the GOP is perfectly fine with spending government money on two wars where countless INNOCENT men, women and CHILDREN have been killed...not to mention the soldiers from other countries AND the 4000+ American soldiers who have given their lives.
Yet...voting yes for a healthcare bill in which NO federal money will be used for abortions justifies calling someone a "baby killer".
Could someone please explain this to me...and how it makes ANY sense at all?
..Republicans support the Pharma industry and they kill countless of thousands every year with their poison...TheFDA allows all kinds of crap in our food that kills also....So people in glass houses do not need to throw stones..Im not for abortion either but I think we ought to do all we can to get women to avoid being in that situation.
Right. And if you believe that.....
its hard to believe texans are still allowed to hold any sort of office. We should probably start sending people in there to baby sit their congressmen and senators. We all know how bad just one texan can screw everything up.
Such shouts, slogans and name calling is indicative of an inability to think clearly enough to speak in logical sentences and formulate logical arguments. is this a Republican problem nationwide or limited to South Carolina and Texas Republicans?
The repeated warnings of payback at the polls in November should be heeded by ALL concerned. We will pay a political price for bad behaviors as well.
It's pretty hard for 'baby killer' to mean more than one thing... you, sir, are a disgrace!
This Congressman is most likely linked to the same Tea Party protesters who was using the N-Word and spitting at Democrats!!!
If this is what the Republicans want to portray themselves as – then this is what the Republicans will be recognize as – Case and POINT!!
What an idiot! Did Republicans not learn their lesson from that guy from SC shouting YOU LIE? What happened to the day where politicians would give each other respect or at least silence when others are talking? All they are doing is lowering their intelligence by shouting these comments. What a sad funny looking man.
The baby killers are the republicans.
No republican voted for this bill, as such, any and all babies that are saved due to a clause in this bill, is a baby that the republicans wanted to die. Any baby that grows up but would have been dead if not for the passage of this bill, is a baby ALL republicans wish to murder.
Republicans: The party of baby killers.
This "hate speech" by another southern Republican just shows his IGNORANCE. I can't believe this tired old argument trying to OPPRESS
women's right to CHOOSE, which is protectedunder the LAW. The "moral majority " is still NEITHER. This tied old fat cat inTexas is just another example of what is WRONG with this CONGRESS. Say
anything to PANDER to the RIGHT WING EXTREMISTS in this country and Then apologize. It's ridiculous and since when does the right wing care about people. They are only concerned with their own
GREED.
Shameful, and I'm from Texas.