It is hard to believe that Congressman Hal Rogers thought it was OK to poke a black Congresswoman, Joyce Beatty, because she dared ask him to do the responsible thing. Wear a mask.
Congresswoman assaulted by GOP Rep. Hal Rogers for asking him to wear a mask
The title may seem graphic or hyperbolic. I did not choose the word for effect or because Congressman Hakeem Jeffries used the word”assault.” I decided to use it because had the roles been reversed, we would have had Fox News discussing the issue, “angry black woman, a Democrat Congresswoman, assaulted elderly Republican Congressman.” Rogers is 84.
The tweets seemed like they could have represented another time in our torrid history.
Joyce Beatty @RepBeatty 10h
Today, while heading to the House floor for votes, I respectfully asked my colleague @RepHalRogers to put on a mask while boarding the train. He then poked my back, demanding I get on the train. When I asked him not to touch me, he responded, “kiss my ass.” (1/3)Joyce Beatty @RepBeatty 10h
This is the kind of disrespect we have been fighting for years, and indicative of the larger issue we have with GOP Members flaunting health and safety mandates designed to keep us and our staff safe. (2/3).@RepHalRogers, when you are ready to grow up and apologize for your behavior, you know where to find me. (3/3)
2:58 PM · Feb 8, 2022·Twitter Web App
Congressman Hal Rogers, an irresponsible bully, would later apologize in a tweet and subsequent in-person as reported by MSNBC.
Hal Rogers @RepHalRogers 6h
This afternoon, I met with @RepBeatty to personally apologize. My words were not acceptable and I expressed my regret to her, first and foremost.
The disrespect many of these Republican troglodytes show towards women, let alone women of color, says so much about the values they represent. And it is precisely the way they will govern if America makes a mistake to put them in power.