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Updated June 25, 2009

Confrontation Erupts Between Representatives Waters, Obey on House Floor

by Chad Pergram 

, FOXNews.com

An altercation erupted on the House floor Thursday evening between House Appropriations Committee Chairman Dave Obey (D-Wisc.) and Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.).

The incident stemmed from Rep. Obey's refusal to fund an earmark that Rep. Waters requested, sources told FOX. 

Waters specifically wanted federal money set aside for an institute named after her. 

Obey, who is skeptical of many earmarks, has long refused to fund any more "monuments to me." 

The institute in question was named for Waters before she requested the earmark.

Upon Obey's refusal, Waters insisted Obey reward the money instead to a school that could serve as a conduit to the institute, but Obey told Waters that wasn't acceptable and "became irate," said a source.

Obey tried to walk away from Waters, but she continued to browbeat the Appropriations Committee Chairman and followed him around the House floor, according to reports.

"She was in his face," a source said.

Other media reported that the altercation evolved into a "shoving match." Those reports could not be confirmed.

Ellis Brachman, a spokesman for Obey said that Waters "accosted" his boss and "made a scene."

Attempts to reach Waters for comment were unsuccessful.

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House Appropriations Committee Chairman Dave Obey (D-Wisc.) and Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) entered into an altercation on the House floor after Rep. Obey's refused to fund an earmark that Rep. Waters requested, sources told FOX.