House Democrats Rip GOP Rep. West Over Email to Party Chairwoman
House Democrats lined up to excoriate GOP Rep. Allen West on Wednesday after he sent an incendiary email to the Democratic party chairwoman calling her “vile” and “not a lady.”
The head of the Congressional Black Caucus told Fox News on Wednesday that members are “furious” about the incident, saying he’s going to speak with the Florida Republican about the matter. Shortly afterward, several female lawmakers held a news conference, at which they called on West to apologize.
His words were nothing more than personal attacks,” Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., said, adding that she hopes House Speaker John Boehner “disavows” West’s remarks. She said it is “very ladylike to speak up for the values that you believe in.”
Rep. Donna Edwards, D-Md., also released a statement saying she was “shocked” by the “disgraceful” email. “Instead of engaging constructively in that debate, Representative West chose to resort to unprofessional, vitriolic and offensive personal attacks — shame on him,” she said.
The lawmakers are urging House leaders to rebuke West, though West told Fox News that GOP leaders are “fine” with his actions.West fired off the email Tuesday to Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, calling her “vile, despicable and cowardly” for calling into question his stance on Medicare on the House floor.