Washington DC, US
AP
A non-partisan Christian organisation that seeks to end hunger said Saturday it asked for and received the resignation of Congressman Ted Yoho from its board of directors following what it called his “verbal attack” on Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat from New York, accused Yoho, a Republican from Florida, of using a vulgar and sexist insult while upbraiding her during a confrontation last Monday on the steps of the Capitol. Yoho maintained he did not use the words cited, though a reporter who witnessed the incident confirmed the language as she described it.
This combination image shows Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez walking into Capitol Hill in Washington, on 27th March, left, and Representative Ted Yoho at the Capitol in Washington on 28th March, 2017. A top House Democrat demanded an apology on Tuesday, 21st July, from Yoho who is accused of using a sexist slur after an angry encounter with Ocasio-Cortez. PICTURE: AP Photo/File images
In a statement, Bread for the World said its board met Friday with Yoho and sought his resignation “as an action that reaffirms our commitment to coming alongside women and people of color, nationally and globally, as they continue to lead us to a more racially inclusive and equitable world.”
On its website, Bread for the World says its “collective Christian voice” lobbies Congress and the administration on ending hunger nationally and worldwide.
“As a bipartisan Christian organization committed to alleviating hunger and poverty through sound public policies, Bread for the World upholds the values of respect, dignity, and compassion that Jesus calls us to when engaging decision makers from across the political spectrum,” the statement said. “We believe that Rep Ted Yoho’s recent actions and words as reported in the media are not reflective of the ethical standards expected of members of our Board of Directors.”
A spokesman for Yoho did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
In an extraordinary speech Thursday in the House, Ocasio-Cortez offered a dramatic account of the incident and broadened her remarks to assail what she called a sexist culture of “accepting violence and violent language against women.” More than a dozen colleagues joined her in casting the incident as all-too-common male behaviour.
Yoho has described the encounter as a brief policy discussion and said that “no one was accosted, bullied, or attacked.” He expressed regret for his “abrupt manner.”
Ocasio-Cortez, 30, is a freshman progressive who has gained praise and criticism for her outspokenness. Yoho, 65, one of the most conservative members of the House, is retiring at the end of his fourth term.
