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Bob Corker Apologizes For Midget Comment

GOP Senator Apologizes For Midget Comment
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Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) apologized Thursday for describing some of his fellow senators and their referencing of Congressional Budget Office (CBO) scores to make political points as "midgets."

The apology and controversy that led to it was first reported in Politico.

"I’m sorry it just feels like a bunch of midgets up here worrying about, you know, some CBO issue," Corker said at a Senate Banking Committee vote on Tuesday.

In response, Little People of America President Gary Arnold said the term was offensive. "Today, no matter in what context it is used, the word dehumanizes and objectifies people of short stature," Arnold said. The group also called the word and use thereof as "embarrassing and insulting" as well as a "slur."

"I sincerely apologize for what was a poor word choice and in no way meant to offend anyone," Corker said in his apology.

Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) also apologized on the House floor in December 2012 for using the same word.

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