Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Apologizes For Calling State Senators ‘Terrorists’

Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has apologized for calling three fellow Republicans “terrorists” over how they negotiated the state budget with Gov. Scott Walker.

“As Speaker, I have strived to increase the civility within the legislature,” Vos said in a statement issued Monday afternoon. “I now regret using the word terrorist because it goes against the guidelines I’ve set for our chamber, and myself. For that, I apologize.”

Vos made the initial comment in an interview aired Sunday on the program “Up Front with Mike Gousha” on WISN-TV.

Vos was referring to a deal Walker cut with three Republican state senators — Duey Stroebel, Steve Nass and Chris Kapenga — to veto parts of the budget they objected to in order to win their support for the larger plan. Vos, of Rochester, has been outspoken against the lawmakers’ tactics, previously saying they were holding the budget hostage.

“Frankly, I wish Governor Walker hadn’t negotiated with terrorists,” Vos told Gousha. “You don’t hold somebody hostage for your own personal needs.”

The speaker’s comments strong responses from Senate Republicans.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, of Juneau, said the comment is “beyond inappropriate.”

Sen. Steve Nass, of Whitewater, issued a statement Monday morning calling the speaker’s comments “beyond outrageous … for simple public policy disagreements.”

Nass noted that he served in the Wisconsin Air National Guard for 33 years and “the people of Wisconsin have a sacred comprehension of the evils associated with terrorism since this country was attacked on September 11, 2001.”

While Vos apologized for his comments, he made it clear Monday that he still had issues with the way the budget process unfolded.

“I continue to be concerned … that the actions of a few Senators, who cannot work with their colleagues in their own caucus, could disrupt progress on important legislation for the people of Wisconsin,” Vos said. “Will we now have to run everything past a few rogue holdouts before committees take executive action?”

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 12:50 p.m.. Monday, Oct. 23, 2017.