Rep. Ted Yoho: ‘I can’t apologize because I didn’t say that'

Apology demanded from GOP lawmaker for Ocasio-Cortez remark

This combo shows Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., walks Capitol Hill in Washington, on March 27, 2020, left, and Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., at the Capitol in Washington on March 28, 2017. A top House Democrat demanded an apology Tuesday, July 21, 2020, from Yoho who is accused of using a sexist slur after an angry encounter with Ocasio-Cortez. (AP Photo, File) (Uncredited)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The House’s No. 2 Democratic leader is demanding an apology from a Republican lawmaker who is accused of using a sexist slur after what was said to be a confrontation with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

The Hill newspaper said one of its reporters witnessed the Monday encounter between Ocasio-Cortez and Florida GOP Rep. Ted Yoho.

The Hill reported that Yoho told Ocasio-Cortez that comments she had made linking poverty to a crime increase in New York were “disgusting.” The Hill reported that Yoho uttered a sexist slur when the conversation ended.

RELATED: Apology demanded from GOP lawmaker for Ocasio-Cortez remark

Yoho spoke to News4Jax about what was reported by The Hill.

“It was the word BS. I said it’s a bunch of BS about her policies. And there was two reporters, like I said, at the base of the steps, and I was 25 to 30 feet away. My back was to them. And so they said ‘Well, can you tell us what your conversation was?' I said, ‘No comment,‘” Yoho told News4Jax.

In a tweet Tuesday, Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., said she had never spoken to Yoho ``before he decided to accost me'' as they passed each other on the Capitol’s outdoor steps during a vote.

“I think she has reported that I accosted her twice. I did not. We had another vote series. We happened to cross paths again. And she went past me. And I didn’t say a word until she said something,” Yoho said.

Congressman Steny Hoyer is demanding the apology for Ocasio-Cortez.

“I can’t apologize because I didn’t say that,” Yoho said. “Could I have handled this differently? Yeah. You know, like I said I could have set up a meeting and say ‘Hey, I’d like to talk to you about your, your policies.' And, you know, for that, if I’ve embarrassed my constituents, I apologize for that. And we’re going to make a statement on the House floor tomorrow (Wednesday).”

The Associated Press contributed to this report


About the Author:

Kent Justice co-anchors News4Jax's 5 p.m., 10 and 11 p.m. newscasts weeknights and reports on government and politics. He also hosts "This Week in Jacksonville," Channel 4's hot topics and politics public affairs show each Sunday morning at 9 a.m.