Sep 10, 2009 7:20 am US/Pacific
S.C. Rep. Yells 'You Lie!' During Obama Speech
S.C. Rep Joe Wilson, R-S.C., Heckled President Obama During Address To Congress
Obama: All Americans Required To Be Insured; Employers Required To Assist If Necessary; Reform Would Not Apply To Illegal Immigrants; No Federal Money for Abortions
WASHINGTON (CBS) ―
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Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., shouts as President Barack Obama addresses a joint session of the U.S. Congress at the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 9, 2009, in Washington, D.C.
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President Obama addresses a joint session of Congress on his embattled healthcare reform plan Sept. 9, 2009, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
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President Barack Obama shakes hands with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi before Vice President Joe Biden prior to Obama's address on his embattled healthcare reform plan on Sept. 9, 2009, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
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The children of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, from left to right, Teddy Kennedy Jr., Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., and Kara Kennedy, listen as President Barack Obama addresses a joint session of the U.S. Congress on Sept. 9, 2009, in Washington, D.C.
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A South Carolina Republican lawmaker shouted "You lie" at President Barack Obama as he addressed Congress on Wednesday. The congressman later apologized for his "lack of civility."
In his speech in the House chamber, Obama was telling lawmakers that the Democratic plans for health care overhaul do not cover illegal immigrants.
"The reforms I'm proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally," Obama said.
"You lie!" Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., shouted from his seat, jabbing a finger in the air.
In a statement, Wilson said later that he regretted the incident.
"This evening I let my emotions get the best of me," Wilson said. "While I disagree with the president's statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the president for this lack of civility."
Wilson's outburst caused Obama to pause briefly and say, "That's not true."
Behind him House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., could be seen glaring in Wilson's direction, but there was no move by Democratic leaders to censure Wilson. First lady Michelle Obama, in the visitors' gallery, shook her head from side to side disapprovingly.
Sen. John McCain, also disapproving of Wilson's action, was asked by CNN's Larry King about the incident after the speech. "It was disrespectful," the Republican senator from Arizona said. "There is no place for it in that setting, or any other, and he should apologize for it immediately."
Neither the House nor the Senate health care overhaul bills would provide coverage for illegal immigrants.
Wilson's wasn't the only interruption during Obama's speech to a joint session of Congress.
Earlier, Republicans laughed when Obama acknowledged that there still were significant details to be worked out before a health overhaul can be passed.
Following the speech, it was Obama's Republican rival from last year's presidential race for the White House who defended the president.
(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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