House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is addressing the verbal attack by Rep. Ted Yoho (R-Fla.) on Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez this week in which Yoho reportedly called AOC a âf***ing b****â â a remark his spokesperson denied.
In her weekly press conference, Pelosi began by noting that the backlash to Yohoâs behavior came as Congress is hammering out a coronavirus relief bill, saying, âThe fact that the behavior of one of the members is such that the whole womenâsâ caucus, the Democratic Womenâs Caucus, has gone to the floor at a time when our floor time is very precious tells you how important this is.â
She continued, âItâs a manifestation of attitudes in our society, really. I can tell you that first-hand â theyâve called me names for at least 20 years of leadership, 18 years of leadership.â
Pelosi added, âYouâd say to them, âDo you not have a daughter, do you not have a mother, do you not have a sister, do you not have a wife? What makes you think that you can be so ⌠condescending in addition to being disrespectful.'â
The speaker recalled her own experiences, saying, âThereâs no limit to the disrespect or the lack of acknowledgment of the strength of women. Nothing is more wholesome for our government, for our politics, for our country than the increased participation of women and women will be treated with respect.â
Watch the video below:
Pelosiâs remarks came after Ocasio-Cortez blasted Yoho on the floor of the House on Thursday, saying, âThis kind of language is not new. I have encountered words uttered by Mr. Yoho and men uttering the same words as Mr. Yoho while I was being harassed in restaurants.â
Ocasio-Cortez said Yohoâs remarks were not âdeeply hurtfulâ and added, âI have tossed men out of bars that have used language like Mr. Yohoâs, and I have encountered this type of harassment riding the subway in New York City.â
