GOP Rep. Hal Rogers apologizes to Black Caucus chair for telling her to 'kiss my a--' during mask dispute

close

Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for February 8

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Republican Rep. Hal Rogers of Kentucky apologized to Democratic Rep. Joyce Beatty of Ohio after an altercation while two boarded the subway system at the U.S. Capitol. 

"Today, while heading to the House floor for votes, I respectfully asked my colleague @RepHalRogers to put on a mask while boarding the train," Beatty tweeted Tuesday. "He then poked my back, demanding I get on the train. When I asked him not to touch me, he responded, ‘kiss my a--.’"

Congressional Black Caucus Chair Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, and fellow Democratic members of the House of Representatives (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

CNN MEDICAL ANALYST SUPPORTS DEMOCRAT-LED STATES DROPPING SCHOOL MASK MANDATES: 'THE SCIENCE HAS CHANGED'

Beatty added that the incident is "the kind of disrespect we have been fighting for years" and demanded an apology from Rogers when he is ready to "grow up."

MORE STACEY ABRAMS PHOTOS SURFACE, SHOWING HER MASKLESS AROUND MASKED KIDS

Rep. Hal Rogers on April 24, 2013 in Washington, DC. (2013 Getty Images)

Beatty received the apology she was looking for.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

"This afternoon, I met with Congresswoman Beatty to personally apologize," Rogers said in a statement. "My words were not acceptable and I expressed my regret to her, first and foremost."

The U.S. Capitol Building is seen on Oct. 22, 2021, in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

"This was a high profile insult and it required a high profile response. I accept Rep. Rogers’ public apology and I am now moving on to the urgent priorities of my constituents and the Congressional Black Caucus," Beatty said later in a statement

"As I have throughout the pandemic, I will continue to stand up for health and safety measures. And as I did today, I will never tolerate bullying, no matter who does it."

Beatty was arrested on Capitol Hill last July for illegally demonstrating in support of voting rights.