Question of Personal Privilege

Floor Speech

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Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

My friends, at times like this, it will benefit us all to remember what the word ``Congress'' actually means. ``Congress'' means a coming together. That is the entire point of this institution.

People from different regions of the country, with varying political views, individuals of different backgrounds, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and, yes, genders come together to solve problems on behalf of the American people who elect us.

That is where the word ``Congress'' originates from. A coming together.

We will frequently disagree heatedly. We argue on this floor and in committee hearings and meetings. We may even disagree on the steps of the Capitol. However, let us disagree agreeably.

The words being discussed today did not live up to those ideals, and the gentleman must say that he is sorry. He must apologize. It is not to apologize to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. He must apologize to his wife, to his daughters, to women in this country.

Today, our political discourse is too often infected with an anger and a malice unbecoming of our democratic traditions. As elected officials, we are expected to do better, to act as an example of how we can debate passionately but treat one another with compassion, dignity, and respect.

It saddens me that the words that we are discussing today failed to live up to that standard.

For those reasons, Madam Speaker, I stand with my friend from New York in condemning the remarks that were made.

Madam Speaker, I ask all of us to do better. We must do better.

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