Andy Harris

Matthew Chapman attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and lives in San Marcos, Texas. Before joining Raw Story, he wrote for Shareblue and AlterNet, specializing in election and policy coverage.

Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) lost his cool at his congressional debate on Tuesday, as his constituents laughed at his excuse for why gas prices have spiked so heavily since the start of the year.

The debate between Harris, a far-right MAGA lawmaker who chairs the House Freedom Caucus, and Democratic challenger Dan Schwartz, was clipped by the liberal group American Bridge.

"The fact is that diesel prices have gone up, there's no question about it," said Harris. "Why has it gone up? Because the Democrats and environmental regulations have not—"

At this, the crowd of constituents burst out laughing, cutting him off, as he grew visibly annoyed.

"Ma'am, I gotta tell you, this is the — this is the problem," snapped Harris. "You all say you believe there's a First Amendment, but only if you agree with you! You should let me finish the sentence, ma'am. You are rude!"

Harris, the sole Republican congressman elected from Maryland, has been a loyal Trump supporter in most circumstances, but has been known to stand up to the president over spending issues in some situations.

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