In an exceedingly rare move, a Florida House committee on Thursday reprimanded Rep. Angie Nixon for repeatedly blaring a bullhorn during a contentious fight over congressional redistricting.
But the Jacksonville Democrat told reporters she’s unfazed — despite receiving the Florida Legislature’s first official reprimand in more than 20 years.
“I don’t care if I get a reprimand. I don’t even care if they expel me, because I’m standing up for my elders,” said Nixon, a candidate for U.S. Senate. “Stop doing illegal things and I won’t call you out with a pink microphone.”
Nixon said she found out about her hearing through social media, alleging House leadership never contacted her.
Adorned in hot pink — the same color as both her loudspeaker and the matching outfit she wore during the April 29 episode — Nixon was barred from speaking during the House Rules and Ethics Committee’s half-hour deliberations. The reprimand was approved via a voice vote on the GOP-dominated committee, despite a handful of mumbled “nos” from Democrats.
The Legislature’s last reprimand to a lawmaker was 2005, when Democratic state Sen. Mandy Dawson was castigated for allegedly soliciting lobbyist money for a South Africa vacation. More recent scoldings included letters of admonition for then-Sen. Darren Soto in 2014 and then-Sen. Mike Haridopolos in 2011.
“A reprimand is a serious action, but also a measured one,” Rules Chair Rep. Sam Garrison, a Fleming Island Republican, told committee members. Garrison will take over as House Speaker in November.
“It recognizes the need for accountability, but it balances it with a measure of grace that I believe each of us would hope for if the roles were reversed,” he added.
The punishment — which could be a predicate to formally censure Nixon if she breaks House rules again — came two weeks after the 42-year-old smuggled her mini bullhorn onto the House floor to protest Gov. Ron DeSantis’ new congressional map.
“What y’all are doing is illegal!” she yelled as members voted, pacing up and down the floor. “I will not allow you to destroy our democracy!”
The disturbance led two Democrats to accidentally vote in favor of the map — which, in a break from tradition, redraws congressional lines halfway through the decade. It could flip four Democratic districts red in a delegation of 28.
In later comments to reporters, Nixon accused House Republicans of “silencing” Democrats’ voices, ignoring pressing issues like rising costs, and relegating her to a “basement with rats” in 2022, after she led a sit-in protest in the House chamber, also over redistricting.
“This is a slap in the face of voters, it’s a slap in the face of all Floridians, it’s a slap in the face of the blood of my ancestors that’s running through my veins right now,” she said.
Apart from the Senate, the House’s last reprimand — and later censure — was issued against Democrat Rep. Willie Logan in 2002 for allegedly misusing state funds. Logan had previously been under fire for public exposure and battery on a police officer.
–Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix
Deborah Coffey says
Angie is Black. These are Republicans. ‘Nough said. We all get it! I do think it’s time that Congress makes blatant and public racism a felony.
Atwp says
This Republican party is crazy and getting crazier. If this continues than perhaps Democrats will vote for Democrats. Republicans are very crazy people.
Al says
Why is this type of stupidity encouraged by the left? Why is it always minorities, mostly black that have no sense of decency? If a white conservative did this would it be excused as just a protest? Let’s expect politicians to act with respect for the process. You may not win but don’t be a loser.
Skibum says
What an ignorant comment. Ignorant because it defies reality. Decency? You REALLY want to go there?
What decency does our state’s corrupt, maga minded governor have for human beings he loves to lock up in cages in the Everglades Alligator Alcatraz? Answer: NONE!
What decency does this state’s gerrymandered, nearly 100% republican districted legislators have for all of the minority citizens who expect representation of their rights and interests? Answer: NONE!
What decency does the most blatantly racist president in modern times have for our country’s minority citizens when he unleashes mobs of masked ICE thugs into American cities, ignoring 1st Amendment rights and the fed’s own, long-standing immigration enforcement policies and procedures and allowing the beating and shooting of Americans who are simply protesting the overreaching, thuggish, and unconstitutional arrests? Answer: NONE! What decency is displayed with the convicted, felon sex abuser, fascist con man stands in front of America’s assembled media and calls female journalists “piggy”? Answer: NONE! There are way too many other examples to mention here… we ALL know what they are because we have seen them repeated ad nauseum for years by the most un-decent, despicable man to ever soil the furniture in the WH.
There is so much UN-decency within the maga, former republican party that it is apparent that you and other maga supporters or sympathizers are incapable of even recognizing and acknowledging the lack of simple decency when it is displayed over and over again right in front of YOUR noses!
You want decency? Try demonstrating it, practicing it, embracing it!!!
Deborah Coffey says
Thank you, Skibum. You saved me from responding to that comment!
Sherry says
Thank you Skibum. . . are most certainly “Right On”!
Land of no turn signals says says
You have to stay classy definitely a problem for the libs.