Atlanta Journal-Constitution
October 20, 2007 By Erica Werner, Associated Press
Washington--House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rebuked a fellow San Francisco Bay area liberal Friday for what she said were inappropriate comments about Iraq during a congressional debate.
During a debate on children's health care Thursday, Rep. Pete Stark accused Republicans of sending troops to Iraq to "get their heads blown off for the president's amusement."
Condemnations rolled in from Republican politicians and right-leaning bloggers had a field day.
Pelosi issued a statement Friday evening rapping Stark, who is in his 18th term representing the liberal East Bay.
"While members of Congress are passionate about their views, what Congressman Stark said during the debate was inappropriate and distracted from the seriousness of the subject at hand--providing health care for America's children," Pelosi said.
Stark's comment came as the House failed Thursday to override President Bush's veto of legislation to expand the popular State Children's Health Insurance Program.
After numerous Republicans called on him to apologize, Stark said it was they who should be apologizing, for failing to provide the votes to override Bush's veto.
Asked for a White House response Friday, spokesman Tony Fratto said: "I see absolutely no reason to dignify those remarks with a comment."
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