Rep. Andy Harris rebukes debate audience that laughed at his diesel price remark

Mixed · 2Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) told a debate audience "You are rude" on Tuesday night after people laughed as Harris blamed Democrats' environmental regulations for higher diesel prices. 1 2 Mixed · 2The debate was against Democratic challenger Dan Schwartz. Newsweek reports it was hosted by the League of Women Voters in Cambridge, in Maryland's 1st Congressional District, which Harris has represented since 2011. 2 1 Mixed · 2Harris said diesel prices "have gone up" and asked why, answering that it was because of Democrats' environmental regulations, before the crowd cut in with laughter. Newsweek adds that shouts and groans came too, and that the question had been about the Trump administration's deal with Russia over diesel. 1 2

Centre · 1Harris told the audience, "this is the problem," and said they believed in the First Amendment only when they agreed with the speaker. According to Newsweek, the moderator tried to calm the room, and Harris pointed at another audience member and said "You’re rude too." That person replied, "You started it." Schwartz said it was important that both candidates could be heard. 2 Mixed · 2Raw Story said the debate was clipped by the liberal group American Bridge. Newsweek said the audience had interrupted Harris multiple times, and that the debate mostly covered local issues such as aging bridges, the poultry industry and offshore wind. 1 2 Centre · 1Newsweek says the U.S. Energy Information Administration attributed the diesel increase to other factors. In September it cited tight global supplies of distillate fuel and elevated crude-oil prices, with reduced refining activity in Russia, China and the Middle East. 2

Centre · 1Newsweek reports that, according to AAA, the national average gas price has risen more than 46 percent since late February, from roughly $2.98 to about $4.36 a gallon. In Maryland it rose about 43 percent, from $2.975 on February 26 to $4.259 on October 13. Newsweek reports that a Reuters/Ipsos poll of 4,506 adults found 78 percent blame the Trump administration's policies for higher costs, including 64 percent of Republican voters. 2 Mixed · 2Harris chairs the House Freedom Caucus and is seeking a ninth term. Newsweek reports that Schwartz won the June 23 Democratic primary and is campaigning on affordability, opposition to tariffs and limits on congressional stock trading. Public polling is sparse: a Democratic-sponsored July poll showed Harris ahead 52 to 39 percent. Newsweek said it had asked Harris for comment and was awaiting a response. 2 1