House Democrats offer resolution to scold Issa over 'offensive' behavior

WASHINGTON, March 14 (UPI) -- House Democrats offered a resolution on the floor Thursday to condemn Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., for his "offensive" behavior towards Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., during a House Oversight Committee hearing.

The incident occurred when Issa adjourned a hearing before Cummings could ask his questions. Cummings criticized Issa at the hearing and both men have since apologized.

House Democrats, however, are trying to pass a resolution to formally reprimand Issa for what they call a pattern of offensive behavior towards Democrats. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Mich., presented the resolution.

"Chairman Issa's conduct in committee and his repeated attempts to silence Democrats is offensive and needs to be condemned," said Kildee in a statement, "We live in a democracy, one that allows open debate and dissension. That's the way our framers intended for the legislative process to work, where there would be respectful debates in Congress about important issues we face as a nation."

"However it seems that Chairman Issa is more interested in a one-sided political spectacle rather than having an actual impartial hearing...that's exactly the kind of partisan behavior my constituents are fed up with." he added.

While Kildee presented the resolution on the House floor, the Democrats held up their iPads to display Issa silencing Cummings. The Chair had to request that the members not display their iPads as a violation of House rules.

This two-week-long fight was spurned from a long annoyance Democrats have had with Issa constantly battling the administration with very loud and public fights about key issues.

[HuffPost Live]