A Democratic lawmaker from Washington state has issued an apology after admitting he showed up to a committee hearing while under the influence of alcohol. His speech was noticeably slurred during the session, which raised concerns.
Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, the majority leader in the state House, addressed the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday to discuss the operating budget. He referred to his actions as a “serious mistake” for various reasons. “I made the wrong choice last night by drinking before finishing work for the day,” Fitzgibbon stated, adding that he was disappointed in himself. He expressed a commitment to avoid alcohol for the rest of the session.
During the hearing, Fitzgibbon discussed the budget, but at times, his slurred speech was evident. He remarked, “I would like to thank all members of this committee and all members of the House for coming forward with ideas and suggestions… that… the operating budget we have proposed does not forget that the people we work to represent… do not always have a voice in this process.”
He later mentioned that his condition was “detrimental to my work and colleagues” and felt embarrassed by it. House Speaker Laurie Kinkins, also a Democrat, acknowledged that Fitzgibbon’s behavior did not meet the standards for attending the hearing but appreciated his acknowledgment of the issue and his apology. She added that House Democratic leaders would support efforts to address Fitzgibbon’s health.
As of now, it’s unclear if he will face any disciplinary measures for his actions.
