Democrats Rally Around Cummings After Microphone Controversy

Supporters of Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings are demanding that he receive an apology after his microphone was cut off in a committee hearing into IRS problems.

On Capitol Hill, House Democratic ranking members say they’re outraged that Cummings was silenced at a committee hearing Wednesday when House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) cut off his microphone, reports WJZ TV.

“You see Republicans simply trying to shut down and suspend democracy in the House of Representatives, and it’s a sad day for the United States Congress,” said Rep Chris Van Hollen, (D) Maryland.

The hearing was on the improper targeting of tea party groups by the Internal Revenue Service. Cummings was trying to say that Republicans have overblown the controversy, says CBS DC.

Congressman Cummings called what happened to him an abuse of power and un-American.

“A number of Republican members on our committee have come up to me and said, ‘Don’t tell him, but I apologize. You should not have been treated that way,’” Cummings said.

House Democrats introduced a resolution condemning Issa’s actions and the Congressional Black Caucus called on House Speaker John Boehner to remove Issa from the oversight committee.

The Speaker said Issa was within his rights to adjourn the hearing when he did after a key witness refused to answer questions.