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Facing an earful from angry constituents at a town hall this weekend, Rep. Joe Barton at one point told a loud attendee to “shut up” — setting off even more heated reactions.
In video clips of the incident, Barton can be seen trying to quiet down the raucous town hall in the Navarro County town of Frost after a question on a bill regarding violence against women. Barton, an Arlington Republican, begins explaining that he voted against a previous bill on the issue because he believes it is a state issue, not a federal issue, to which the audience responded with a mix of applause and boos.
“It’s violence against women, that’s a national issue,” one attendee can be heard yelling. “That is an issue that impacts everyone everywhere, not only in this country but everywhere.”
After trying unsuccessfully to speak over the dissenters, Barton eventually lost his cool.
“You,” he said, pointing to a man in the audience. “You, sir, shut up.”