Barton: Rep. Stark's Accusation ‘Brought Discredit on Our House'

Statement

Barton: Rep. Stark's Accusation ‘Brought Discredit on Our House'

U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Ennis, ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, released the following statement today after the House tabled a censure resolution reprimanding U.S. Rep. Pete Stark's comments last week during the SCHIP debate:

"As the man who finally stood and objected to Rep. Stark's hate-speech last week, I supported censure today, and here's why: Debate in the House is intended to be free-wheeling. We are expected to hold and express views, some of which will be objectionable to many others.

"Over the life of our nation, House members have given vivid expression to passions about everything from war abroad to disunion at home. And yet we are nearly always able to preserve basic human respect for our debate opponents, our president and ourselves.

"Mr. Stark has as much right to be passionate about his convictions as the rest of us, but he doesn't have the right to violate the longstanding rules of comity on the House floor. One minute we were discussing children's health, and the next he was launching what most fair-minded people would think was an accusation that brought discredit on our House and on our work.

"Now Rep. Stark evidently has been pressured by Democratic leaders to atone, but maintaining a defiant silence until cornered by his own party does not seem like a true act of contrition."

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