Outgoing South Carolina Rep. Joe Cunningham pulled a beer out of his pocket while giving a goodbye speech on the House floor on Thursday, The Post and Courier reports.
The Democrat lawmaker blasted D.C. hypocrisy and division before whipping out a DC Brau pale ale called Joint Resolution. The newspaper reports he didn’t take a sip of his beer after he cracked it open and called for bipartisanship because he was wearing a mask. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has mandated all lawmakers wear masks while on the floor, even when they are speaking, to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
"For the betterment of this country, we have to come together, we have to sit down and listen to one another, and maybe even have a beer," Cunningham said as he presented his beer. "I raise this glass to my colleagues, both Democrats and Republicans.”
He shared his ranking as the fourth most bipartisan congressman and noted that two of his bills were signed into law by President Donald Trump.
“Our democracy has been battered and bruised, but it is not yet broken," he said. "To save it we must agree on one basic truth: the other side is not the enemy."
Cunningham lost his reelection to Rep.-elect Nancy Mace.
Marisa Herman ✉
Marisa Herman, a Newsmax senior reporter, focuses on major and investigative stories. A University of Florida graduate, she has more than a decade of experience as a reporter for newspapers, magazines, and websites.
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