Congressman Hal Rogers, R-Somerset, is apologizing after a dispute in the subway system of the United States Capitol over masking.
Democratic U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty, of Ohio, told reporters Tuesday Rogers poked her in the back and told her to “kiss my ass,” when she asked him to wear a mask on the underground Capitol subway system.
Beatty, who is the chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, said in a series of tweets, that she “respectfully asked my colleague @RepHalRogers to put on a mask while boarding the train. He then poked my back, demanding I get on the train. When I asked him not to touch me, he responded, “kiss my ass.”
Rogers tweeted an apology on Tuesday evening, “This afternoon, I met with @RepBeatty to personally apologize. My words were not acceptable and I expressed my regret to her, first and foremost.”
The Kentucky Republican’s apology came after a press conference took place with members of the Black Caucus telling reporters Rogers assaulted Beatty, and demanded an apology.
The dispute over masking occurred as some of the most stringent indoor masking states of New York and California have begun relaxing indoor mask mandates.
