#House Democrat flashes stomach during virtual hearing
“#House Democrat flashes stomach during virtual hearing”
WASHINGTON — House Homeland Security committee members were stunned Thursday as one of their colleagues stretched during a virtual hearing, revealing a large unclothed belly that hung over what appeared to be either pajamas or boxers, as Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas testified about the Biden administration’s budget requests.
Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-NJ), wore a t-shirt and appeared to be working from his bedroom during the early-morning hearing. Disheveled linens were in the backdrop as he stood up.
Rep. Kat Cammack (R-Fla.) covered her mouth in shock as Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY) continued speaking to Mayorkas — ironically, about cybersecurity — apparently oblivious to the view.
Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas) shared the video, tweeting, “Another reason Democrats should get off Zoom and back to work. #TheStruggleIsReal.”
Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) slammed Payne’s conduct, writing, “If taxpayers are paying you $174,000 per year, getting out of bed and putting some clothes on for work seems like it should be a minimum requirement.”
But a Payne staffer came to his defense on Twitter, saying the Newark and Orange, NJ, representative was being unfairly fat-shamed.
“It’s no secret that as a diabetic the Congressman has his weight struggles. But we try to stick to policy here in Congress,” wrote Payne legislative director Sam Morgante.
The video of Payne was not publicly broadcast and appears to have been visible only to participants in the virtual hearing.
Payne appears to have stripped down after wearing a dress shirt and tie about a half-hour earlier in the hearing, which was scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. A teal wall with photographs was in the backdrop in both shots.
Payne focused on the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, asking Mayorkas, “Can you assure this committee that DHS failure to issue a threat assessment was not part of an attempt by the Trump administration to leave the Capitol and Congress undefended?”
Mayorkas said he was focused on “lessons learned.”
Payne, 62, was first elected in 2012, inheriting the seat from his father Donald Payne Sr., who held the lopsidedly Democratic seat since 1989.
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