House Dem to House Republican: 'Why do you hate this country so much?'

A late-night debate over whether to drastically shrink federal highway spending in 2013 turned ugly just after 11 p.m., when a House Democrat accused a Republican and former U.S. Marine of hating America.

Members were debating a motion to instruct House conferees to push for a cap on federal highway spending of $37.5 billion for 2013, from Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.). That would take spending to a point well below what Senate Democrats have proposed in their bill — the Senate bill would spend $109 billion over two years.

At the end of a mostly predictable debate, and with his time expired, Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), who is known for making inflammatory remarks, capped his speech by yelling at Broun, "Why do you hate this country so much?"

Broun responded, "I was just charged by this gentleman for hating America, and I challenge those words, and I ask that his words be taken down."

DeFazio said, "I don't believe it rises to that level," and said his comments were not directed at any specific individual.

A request that comments be "taken down" is a literal request to have the words transcribed, a process that usually takes several minutes. After his words were transcribed and several minutes of discussion on the floor, Broun asked to withdraw his request.

Afterwards, DeFazio tried to explain his comments away, but did not apologize.

"I did not mean to direct the remark to you," DeFazio said. "It was a generic statement out of concern."

"The gentleman did obviously direct the remarks towards me," Broun said, adding that DeFazio was pointing at him when he made the remarks.

"I love my country," Broun said. "I'm a U.S. Marine. I'm trying to save my country from financial collapse."

Broun's motion to instruct conferees will be voted on Friday. The House adjourned immediately after Broun finished speaking.

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