WASHINGTON — A rare evening meeting of the House Oversight Committee on Thursday devolved into chaos after northwest Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene mocked the appearance of one of her Democratic colleagues.
Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Kentucky) struggled to regain order after Rep. Greene made a comment about Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas)’s ‘fake eyelashes.’ Rep. Greene later took a swipe at Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York).
Scroll down to watch a video compilation of the heated exchanges.
The disruption happened during a meeting to decide whether to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt over his refusal to turn over audio recordings of President Joe Biden’s interview with special counsel Robert Hur.
But that topic veered wildly off course after Rep. Greene’s comments.
The meeting was a rare evening one, held at that time to accommodate several members who traveled to New York to attend the hush-money trial of former President Trump earlier in the day. Trump is charged with falsifying financial records to cover up a $130,000 payment to porn actress Stormy Daniels right before the 2016 election, in the hopes she would not publicly diclose her story of a sexual liaison with Trump in 2006, shortly after his son Barron was born.
The judge in the case, Juan Merchan, had expanded a gag order on the former president after he made disparaging remarks about his daughter. Rep. Greene’s mention of that daughter is what started the chaotic exchange in Thursday night’s meeting.
Rep. Greene asked “I’d like to know if any of the Democrats on this committee are employing Judge Merchan’s daughter?”
Rep. Crockett responded, “Please tell me what that has to do with Merrick Garland?”
A few moments later, Rep. Crockett asked Rep. Greene “Do you know what we’re here for?”
Rep. Greene replied, “I don’t think you know what you’re here for. I think your fake eyelashes are messing with your reading.”
Later, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez filed a motion to have Rep. Greene’s words stricken from the record, saying in a raised voice
That is absolutely unacceptable. How dare you attack the physical appearance of another person?
“Are your feelings hurt?” Rep. Greene responded. “Awwww.
Rep. Greene later agreed to strike her words from the record. But she then said she refused to apologize for saying them.
“Let’s go! Come on, guys,” Chairman Comer said. But Greene continued.
Why don’t you debate me?” she asked Rep. Ocasio-Cortez.
I think it’s pretty self-evident, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez replied.
Yeah, you’re not– you don’t have enough intelligence,” Rep. Greene retorted.
Rep. Ocasio-Cortez then moved to strike those words as well.
Later in the hearing, Rep. Crockett asked for a point of order. Chairman Comer recognized her.
I’m just curious, just to better understand your ruling. If somebody on this committee starts talking about somebody’s bleach-blonde bad-built butch body, that would not be engaging in personalities, correct?
“Uh, what now?” Chairman Comer responded, as the chamber erupted in laughter.
Watch the entire exchange below (Note: This clip contains one instance of the ‘s’ word, near the end):
Depend on us to keep you posted on this developing story.