During a recent U.S. House hearing, Representatives Cori Bush and Lauren Boebert engaged in a contentious exchange over purported white supremacist beliefs. This heated discussion arose just two days following Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin’s missive to GOP Chairman James Comer, calling for bipartisan condemnation of white nationalism and supremacy, which more than two dozen Republicans refused to sign.

Bush, who is a member of the Subcommittee of Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs, commenced the Wednesday hearing by essentially deriding it as a farce, given the lack of authentic deliberation on sustainable energy. The hearing, titled “Why Depleting the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is Not a Solution to America’s Energy Problem,” featured three witnesses, whom Bush alleged were invited to promote fossil fuels that are disproportionately harming and killing Black and Brown individuals.

During her opening remarks, Bush declared that reducing our consumption and dependence on fossil fuels is the key to preventing and mitigating future events. She criticized her Republican counterparts for inviting profit-driven think tanks and oil magnates who prioritize profit maximization over the health, safety, and well-being of Black, Brown, and indigenous individuals.

She specifically targeted witness Alex Epstein, whom she accused of espousing white supremacist views. Bush cited Epstein’s past writings in a college newspaper regarding African culture before she was interrupted by Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert.

Boebert demanded that Bush’s comments be stricken from the record, claiming that Bush had accused Epstein of being a white supremacist. Bush clarified that she was referring to Epstein’s words, not the man himself. The exchange continued as Boebert insisted that Bush had referred to Epstein as a white supremacist based on his statement.

Boebert persisted in her demands for Bush’s words to be stricken from the record, triggering a call for a parliamentary inquiry. Subcommittee Chairman Pat Fallon, a Texas Republican, declined to comply with Boebert’s request, asserting that he could not censor statements directed toward a witness by other members.

Despite the interruption, Bush continued to highlight Epstein’s contentious remarks on African culture, which she alleged were presented on the same level as Western culture. She quoted Epstein as stating that those cultures were inferior to Western culture, despite denying that his comments had anything to do with skin color.

Bush, who identified herself as a descendant of one of those cultures, refuted Epstein’s remarks, declaring that no culture is inferior to another.

Epstein later took to Twitter, characterizing the hearing as a “crazy day,” given that Bush had accused him of being a white supremacist. He claimed that Representative Melanie Stansbury had also attempted to discredit him and lied about his relationship with the industry. However, both allegations were debunked during the hearing.

When asked for a response to Bush’s accusations, Epstein reiterated his belief that Western culture promotes individualism and freedom, which he has fought for worldwide, including in Africa, Asia, and India. Epstein refused to apologize, emphasizing that his ideas are not associated with skin color and that geography is irrelevant.

Epstein condemned the allegations as a “despicable and racist” attempt to divert attention from the truth. He urged people to focus on what is factual rather than making unfounded accusations.

Raskin’s letter was issued in response to a committee hearing on the U.S.-Mexico border. During the hearing, Republicans made incriminatory comments, including blaming the Biden-Harris administration for opening the border deliberately to change the country’s culture.

Raskin’s letter also condemned the “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory, which alleges that non-white immigrants are intentionally brought to the U.S. to replace white populations. The letter emphasized that it is crucial for all members of the committee to reject such dangerous conspiracy theories and racist and antisemitic ideologies in their deliberations and decision-making.

Several Republicans, including Boebert, refused to sign the letter. In the past, Boebert referred to Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota as a member of the “Jihad Squad,” which caused a rift within the Republican Party between Boebert, who was supported by Marjorie Taylor Greene at the time, and Republican Representative Nancy Mace.

A House Oversight spokesperson defended the letter, stating that it is shameful for Democrats to be accused of racism when attempting to protect Americans from the worst border crisis in history.