A House Judiciary Committee hearing turned volatile on Tuesday when Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) engaged in a fierce shouting match over U.S. immigration policies. Lawler was attending the hearing as a guest to introduce a constituent witness, but his opening remarks quickly shifted into a sharp critique of urban immigration enforcement.
Lawler began his statement by arguing that cities “like New York and Chicago blatantly disregard existing law and provide safe harbor to criminals.” Committee members quickly cut him off, reminding the New York lawmaker that his presence was strictly permitted for introducing a witness, not for making a policy statement.
Despite the warning, Lawler proceeded to speak about the murder of Sheridan Gorman by an undocumented migrant. Lawler, who has been highly outspoken about the case, began listing the prior opportunities during which law enforcement could have apprehended and deported the suspect before the murder took place.
As Lawler spoke, committee members repeatedly tried to establish order. One member raised a point of order, stating, “This is not an introduction, it is a speech.”
Raskin then interjected, speaking over other lawmakers and declaring, “You all should be ashamed of yourselves! Her mother is here precisely because you have failed to do your jobs. You wonder why we had four hearings? It’s because you don’t understand the consequence of sanctuary policy.”
Lawler defended his remarks, insisting that sharing the specific details of Gorman’s death was a necessary part of introducing his constituent to the panel. “You may not want to hear the details,” Lawler said to the committee. “It may be an inconvenience to you, but these details matter.”
The committee chairman stepped in to prompt Lawler to finish his introduction and conclude his remarks. Lawler used his remaining time to double down on his position.
“It is shameful that we are here, not because this is the fourth hearing but because we need to have four hearings to make people understand the real-life consequences of the disastrous sanctuary city policies,” Lawler said. “So, while some of my colleagues may not want to hear the truth, the same outrage you feel about Renée Good and Alex Pretti you should feel about Sheridan Gorman—”
Raskin cut him off, shouting, “I do feel that outrage!”
“You do not!” Lawler snapped back.
The exchange quickly escalated as the two lawmakers began physically pointing fingers at each other and yelling over one another. Raskin demanded, “Do you feel the outrage about Alex Pretti and Renée Good?”
“You should be ashamed of yourself!” Lawler shouted, repeatedly calling Raskin a “disgrace.”
Raskin responded by questioning Lawler’s understanding of congressional procedures and authority. “You don’t belong on this committee, you should get the hell out of here!” Raskin yelled back. “You don’t understand the rules of the committee, you don’t understand the constitution, you’re full of it.”
Immediately following the exchange, Lawler stormed out of the hearing room facing verbal condemnation from colleagues over his “outrageous outburst.”
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