Rep. Frank J. Mrvan (D-IN) scolded Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick after the Trump administration official appeared to laugh at job losses in his district.
During a House Appropriations Committee hearing on Thursday, Mrvan observed that Lutnick had been supportive of union jobs outside of government.
"British Petroleum in my district, which is an energy producer, the third largest oil refinery, has locked out the United Steelworkers," the Indiana Democrat explained, "approximately 1,000 families, men and women, because of contract negotiations. My Republican governor came to the picket line, Governor Braun."
"I agree with him in a bipartisan way that British Petroleum is putting our community at risk by having replacement workers who are non-trained," he continued. "Will you join me and ask the President of the United States to tell British Petroleum, a foreign company, energy producer, to go back to the bargaining table so that those very valuable union jobs you were just theatrical vote will be saved?"
Lutnick responded with a hearty chuckle.
"Don't laugh!" Mrvan exclaimed. "There's nothing funny about it. Don't laugh at my situation about a thousand families out of work."
"That's not right," Lutnick complained, taking issue with Mrvan's characterization of him as "theatrical."
"When we're talking about union jobs, I have been very clear," the secretary added. "I am very supportive of great union jobs in America. I think they are excellent jobs for America."
"So the Secretary of Commerce, as your role, you will sit down with me to make sure British Petroleum goes back to the negotiation table so my families, steel workers, go back to work?" Mrvan asked.
"Seems like a fair request to me, yes," Lutnick replied.