As lawmakers resumed debating the electoral college after a riot stormed the U.S. Capitol and disrupted Wednesday’s joint session, Reps. Colin Allred (TX-D) and Andy Harris (MD-R) engaged in a confrontation on the House Floor.
The altercation between the Texas Democrat and Maryland Republican kicked off amid a heated debate over Republican objections to the Pennsylvania election results and where blame lay for the earlier riots. Rep. Conor Lamb (PA-D)’s claim that the earlier riots were inspired by GOP “lies” about the election is reported to have aggravated Harris. According to PBS reporter Lisa Desjardines, Harris taunted the Democrats until the fight broke out between himself and Allred. The pair were quickly separated by a Capitol staffer.
The potential brawl would have pitted Harris, a 63-year-old anesthesiologist against Allred, a former NFL linebacker.
Various media outlets have given conflicting accounts of the events. Harris’ office has since released a statement clarifying Allred’s role in the confrontation. It asserts that Allred “stepped in only to ease tensions at the end of a difficult day.”
Allred’s office released a statement echoing these remarks: “After seeing a disagreement between Members verge on physical confrontation, Congressman Allred approached his colleagues on both sides of the aisle with the hopes of diffusing the situation and bringing down tensions. He was not involved in the initial confrontation and at no point did he near physical violence. Reports to the contrary are categorically false. In the video of Congressman Lamb delivering his speech you can hear Congressman Allred calling on his colleague to reconsider, saying, ‘are you serious, man? Haven’t you had enough violence for today?’“
