Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Tenth District Congressman Donald Payne voted this week to reprimand Representative Joe Wilson, Republican from South Carolina, for shouting "You lie!" at President Obama when he spoke during the recent joint session of Congress.  The resolution states that Congressman Wilson's outburst was a breach of decorum which brought discredit to the House of Representatives.

The House of Representatives' general code of conduct requires that "a lawmaker shall conduct himself at all times in a manner which shall reflect creditably on the House of Representatives."  These are the standards members are held to when they take the oath of office.  Despite the request of the leadership of both parties, Representative Wilson flatly refused to apologize on the House Floor, as is considered traditional, when a Member breaches House rules. "I was shocked at the blatant disrespect shown to the President of the United States by a member of Congress," Payne said. "The loud and disruptive behavior by Representative Wilson during a nationally televised gathering was an embarrassment to our nation.  Other countries look to the United States as a model of democracy.  Hostile behavior and lack of civility have no place in a democratic society. Furthermore, we should be teaching our impressionable young children the importance of respect; we should be leading by example."

Payne continued, "Those who refused to vote to condemn Representative Wilson's outburst are sending the message that crude behavior is acceptable, and that is very unfortunate."