In remarks on the House floor, Rep. Don Young, 84, a Republican from Alaska, called Seattle Rep. Pramila Jayapal, 51, "a young lady" who "doesn’t know a damn thing what she’s talking about." Young later apologized.
Call it mansplaining: wildlife-management edition.
In the latest chapter of a male elected official rudely dismissing his female colleague, Rep. Don Young, 84, this week set his sights on Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Seattle.
In remarks on the House floor, Young, a Republican from Alaska, called Jayapal “a young lady” who “doesn’t know a damn thing what she’s talking about.”
Young’s remarks came Thursday after Jayapal, 51, rose to oppose an amendment of his regarding wildlife management at Alaskan national preserves.
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The amendment would roll back a federal rule that restricts some controversial hunting practices, such as using artificial lights, Jayapal said, or bait like donuts and bacon.
“These national lands are intended to be enjoyed by all Americans, including those who visit and hope to have the rare opportunity to see bears and wolves in their natural habitats,” Jayapal said, adding later: “These are reasonable regulations that prevent cruel hunting practices.”
Those points were not taken well by the gentleman from Alaska.
“You know I rarely do this, but I’m deeply disappointed in my good lady from Washington, doesn’t know a damn thing what she’s talking about,” Young said.
He later called Jayapal a “young lady,” called her argument “really nonsense” that came from a special-interest group, and said Native Americans in Alaska supported his amendment.
Young added that his amendment concerned an Alaska issue — not a federal issue.
Jayapal objected and asked that Young’s words be stricken from the record. Young later apologized; his office didn’t respond to an email seeking comment.
In a statement, Jayapal said such incidents happen too frequently.
“Unfortunately, women, including women of color, face this kind of exchange far too often,” said Jayapal in prepared remarks. “So often, we are discredited for being brown or black, looking too young or too old, or having strong opinions.”
“I appreciate that Congressman Young apologized and I want to remind women of color out there to stand your ground and don’t ever be afraid to speak up,” she added.
Information from The Associated Press is included in this report.