King urges support for lawmaker who interrupted presidential address

In a letter to congressional colleagues, U.S. Rep. Steve King of Kiron is asking for support for South Carolina Republican Joe Wilson after his “You lie!” outburst during a recent presidential address.

Politico reports that the letter is being circulated with the hopes of encouraging Wilson to “reject all demands for additional redress,” saying the push for further disciplinary action by Democrats is nothing but a partisan attack since he has already apologized and President Barack Obama has already accepted it.

While King says Wilson showed a “lack of civility” and was correct in apologizing, he said he was also correct in his statement that Obama was lying about whether health care legislation would cover illegal immigrants. The claim that proposed health care legislation would cover individuals who are in the country illegally has been widely discredited.

Here is the letter, from Politico, along with the message King sent to members of Congress:

Joe Wilson is taking a lot of heat and some of it is coming from Republicans. He may be the subject of a disciplinary resolution on the House floor as early as Tuesday. We all know Joe for the officer and gentleman that he is. I have penned a letter to him that urges him to stand his ground. It also points out that President Obama accused “prominent politicians” of lying in the sentence just prior to Joe’s outburst.

Just answer my e-mail with “put me on” and I will do the rest. Joe needs you now.

Thank you,

Steve King

********************************

Dear Joe [or Dear Rep. Wilson],

We, your colleagues in the House, stand beside you. During the president’s speech to a joint session of Congress, we had just heard President Obama declare “prominent politicians” to be liars for disagreeing with him on healthcare. You, and we, knew his statement that healthcare legislation would not fund illegal immigrants was not supported by the facts, especially in light of two House committee votes, the Congressional Budget Office, and a Congressional Research Service report. However, we agree with your statement on your lack of civility and with your response.

Your immediate call and apology to the White House was the appropriate and an adequate response, especially because your apology was immediately accepted. No further action is required. We urge that you hold your ground against those who seek partisan advantage and reject all demands for additional redress. When the President of the United States accepts an apology, no observer has an additional claim. Like you, we will not be muzzled and we will work together to ensure that Americans have full access to the truth about the proposals before Congress.

Sincerely,

‘XXXXX