Collins apologizes for calling GOP rep ‘so unattractive’ on hot mic

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) on Tuesday apologized for calling a House Republican “so unattractive it’s unbelievable,” saying the other lawmaker apologized to her as well.

“Neither weapons nor inappropriate words are the right way to resolve legislative disputes,” she said in a statement following her comments about Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Texas).

“I received a handwritten apology from Rep. Farenthold late this morning. I accept his apology, and I offer him mine,” she said.

Collins was caught on a hot mic earlier Tuesday talking about Farenthold’s physical appearance after his comments — suggesting that if she wasn’t a woman he would challenge her to a duel for being critical of the GOP’s plan to repeal and replace ObamaCare – garnered attention.

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Farenthold had in a recent interview blamed several female senators who were critical of the healthcare bill for the Senate’s original struggles in passing the legislation. Collins was one of the most vocal critics of the GOP bill, objecting to its deep cuts to Medicaid.

Collins’s comments came as she was speaking with Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) after a mark up for a spending bill, when she called Farenthold “huge” and mentioned a photo taken of him wearing duck-print pajamas at a fundraiser.

“He’s so unattractive, it’s unbelievable,” Collins said over the microphone. “Did you see the picture of him in his pajamas next to this bunny, playboy bunny?” 

“Trust me, you know why he challenged you to a duel? Because you could beat the shit out of him,” Reed was heard saying in the recording.