Randy Neugebauer says he called out 'baby-killer' as Stupak spoke on House floor

Randy Neugebauer says he called out 'baby-killer' as Stupak spoke on House floor
By Paul Kane
Updated 2:03 p.m. 3/22/10
Copyright by The Washington Post
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2010/03/stupak-called-baby-killer-on-h.html?hpid=topnews


Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-Tex.) acknowledged Monday that he yelled out "baby killer" as Democratic Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) urged his fellow Democrats to vote down a Republican amendment on abortion services in the health-care legislation. Neugebauer said he has apologized to Stupak and his congressional colleagues for the remark.

"Last night was the climax of weeks and months of debate on a health-care bill that my constituents fear and do not support. 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," Neugebauer said in a statement.

"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," he added.

The remark had drawn immediate shouts of derision from the Democratic side of the aisle, as Stupak is considered the leading anti-abortion Democrat and held out his support for the legislation until President Obama issued an executive order restating the ban on federal funding of abortion.

Rep. John Campbell (R-Calif.), initially suspected as the lawmaker who shouted the phrase, told reporters Sunday that he didn't say it and believed that it came from a member sitting a row behind him, where the Texas Republicans usually sit. Campbell said he heard "a Southern accent".

"The people who know won't give it up," Campbell told reporters.

He said the remark was "clear as a bell."

Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) said he heard the remark and said it did come from in the area of where the Texas and California delegations sit. He said he believes he knows who yelled it, but declined to say anymore.

"I can make a guess," Barton said.

Neugebauer represents a North Texas district and has co-sponsored a bill to require presidential candidates to produce birth certificates to prove their eligibility for office.