Rep. Schakowsky Calls for GOP Leaders to Condemn Rep. Allen West for Sexist, Inappropriate Remarks
WASHINGTON, DC (July 22, 2011) — Rep. Jan Schakowsky issued the following statement in response to reports of an email sent by Rep. Allen West to Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz:
 "Three days have gone by since Rep. Allen West (R-FL) emailed a sexist rant to Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz in which he engaged in extremely inappropriate name-calling. He said, "You are the most vile, unprofessional and despicable member of the US etc. " Adding to the blatant sexism, he said, "You have proven repeatedly that you are not a Lady, therefore shall not be afforded due respect from me,... demanding she "shut the heck up....
"Republican leadership has yet to condemn Rep. West's threatening attack on a fellow member of the House. The complete silence from Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor is just yet another example of Republican attacks on women.
"In the first 100 days of Republican House leadership, instead of focusing on job creation as they promised voters last November, Republicans attempted to shut down government over basic health-care services and a woman's right to choose. Then came Republican attacks on Medicare when 235 Republican House members voted for Rep. Paul Ryan's plan to end the 45-year old program as we know it. Women represent 56 percent of the Medicare population and would be disproportionally affected by the deep cuts Republicans have proposed.
"Rep. Wasserman-Schultz's speech on the House floor was describing the difference between herself and Rep. West, a fellow member of the Florida delegation who happens to live in her district, on Medicare. The over the top attack from Rep. West in response to her speech was inappropriate but not unique. The United States Army penalized and fined Rep. West for improper behavior while serving in Iraq for shooting a gun next to the head of an Iraqi detainee during an interrogation.
"Rep. West has also shown prior signs of sexism. He is listed as a contributor to a magazine that depicts women in lewd ways and has repeatedly published disgusting diatribes about Rep. Wasserman-Schultz. An apology from Rep. West to Rep. Wasserman-Schultz is overdue. An apology from Republican leadership to all women dismayed by their actions is long overdue. Their silence speaks volumes....
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Contact:Â Â Adjoa Adofo, (202) 225-2111
         adjoa.adofo@mail.house.gov