Congressman Swears at Constituent

Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham made an obscene hand gesture and swore at an elderly constituent during a speech to fellow prostate cancer patients.

Cunningham also made a crude reference to an openly gay colleague, Rep. Barney Frank.

The Escondido Republican later apologized to the constituent and for the reference.

The heated exchange occurred Saturday before about 100 people at the San Diego Rehabilitation Institute. Cunningham, who recently underwent prostate surgery, had shifted his comments from cancer to his opposition to military spending cuts in Congress.

When 74-year-old Chuck Cotton criticized Cunningham’s stand, the congressman made a hand gesture and swore at the man.

“I am sorry. I was out of line,” Cunningham, a member of the House Armed Services Committee and former Vietnam War combat pilot, said. “I’m sorry. I just get upset when people start bashing our military.”

In describing his cancer experience, Cunningham said a rectal procedure he had received was “just not natural, unless maybe you’re Barney Frank.”

It was not the first time Cunningham has come under fire for controversial remarks about gays.

In 1995, he drew the wrath of the gay community after referring to gays as “homos” on the House floor. Cunningham apologized, saying he had not realized the term was offensive.