MADISON — Minority Democrats in the Wisconsin Assembly are enraged after a Republican representative made an obscene gesture toward their leader on the chamber floor.
It happened Tuesday, January 12th on the first day of the 2016 legislative session.
Senate Minority Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) rose to argue with Rep. Bob Gannon (R-Slinger) over a news release Gannon issued last week complaining about Milwaukee's homicide rate and how more homicides occur in black neighborhoods with high unemployment rates.
Gannon, a Slinger Republican, made an obscene gesture toward Barca. The minority leader looked shocked and demanded Republican leaders reprimand him.
The exchange went as follows:
Gannon: "If Milwaukee wants to export something, how about you export safety and jobs? Thank you Mr. Speaker."
Barca: "It's bad enough, Mr. Speaker, that this release comes out. If the gentleman's misunderstood, he can certainly stand up and apologize, and say 'look, I'm misunderstood. I didn't mean...' Did you just give me the finger? Mr. Speaker, I'd like to make a motion to reprimand him! He just stood up -- I'm sure WisconsinEye will plainly show him giving me the finger. What is wrong with you?"
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, a Republican, hurried out of his office and whispered to Gannon, who then stood up and apologized for making what he called an improper gesture in the heat of battle.
"I need to put out an apology, Mr. Speaker. In the heat of the battle, I made a gesture that was -- that is improper for the floor, and I apologize for that," Gannon said.
Barca called the gesture a sad commentary on Gannon's leadership. Barca released the following statement to FOX6 News:
"It is disgrace on this body if we allow that to represent us -- if we allow that to be what we`re known for. Some reprimand must happen to the gentleman of the 58th," Rep. David Bowen (D-Milwaukee) said.
Bowen issued this statement:
Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa (D-Milwaukee) released the following statement:
While at least one other Republican, Rep. Jesse Kremer said her personally apologized for what Gannon did.
Vos did not -- saying he wanted everybody to "move on."