Rep. Frank Mrvan (D-IN) confronted Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick during a House Appropriations Committee hearing on Thursday, after Lutnick appeared to laugh while discussing job losses affecting Mrvan's Indiana district.
Mrvan described British Petroleum's, BP, lockout of approximately 1,000 United Steelworkers at the nation's third-largest oil refinery due to contract negotiations, noting his Republican governor supported the workers. Mrvan called on Lutnick to intervene with President Donald Trump to pressure BP to return to the bargaining table, citing the secretary's stated support for union jobs.
When Lutnick chuckled in response, Mrvan objected sharply, stating there was nothing funny about families losing work.
Lutnick defended himself, claiming he supports union jobs in America.
Mrvan directly asked if Lutnick would meet with him to resolve the matter, the Commerce Secretary agreed saying it was "a fair request."
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