Maryland's lone Republican House member calls woman 'rude' for laughing during debate

Maryland Republican Rep. Andy Harris, the state's only GOP member of the House, scolded audience members who reacted audibly to his remarks at a Tuesday debate in Cambridge, an exchange that overshadowed the policy point he was making, according to Fox News.

Harris was addressing higher diesel prices amid the U.S.-Iran war, which he blamed on environmental regulations backed by Democrats. A woman in the audience laughed as he spoke. He responded that people claim to support the First Amendment only when they agree with the speaker, and told her, "You are rude." Turning to the moderator, he apologized but said that if she would not remind the audience about manners, he would do it himself.

When he returned to explaining why diesel is scarce nationally and worldwide, a second audience member spoke up. Harris called that person rude as well and asked whether they respected his right to express himself, insisting it was his turn.

Afterward, the moderator asked the two nominees to calm their supporters, and Democratic challenger Dan Schwartz told attendees to hold their reactions until they were home. Harris has held the 1st District seat since 2010.

Summarized by PolitiKool from Fox News’s reporting. Read the full story at Fox News →