VTGOP Condemns Rep. Balint's 'Wiping' Comment as Demeaning Towards Immigrants

NEWPORT, VT - Last week, Vermont’s sole Congresswoman, Rep. Becca Balint, held a town hall where she stated that if we don’t increase immigration, “we’re not gonna have anyone around to wipe our *****.”
(Link to video courtesy of Vermont Daily Chronicle: https://www.facebook.com/headliners11/videos/1217944555989776)

VTGOP Chairman Paul Dame issued the following statement in response:

“It seems that every month Vermonters are subjected to coarse and vulgar language from our federal representatives. Congresswoman Balint should apologize-not only for her crude choice of words, but more importantly for the disturbing sentiment that the primary purpose of immigration is to perform labor that she deems beneath the dignity of others.

At the heart of these remarks is an opinion so offensive and so profoundly out of touch that it reveals a fundamental lack of respect for those who come to this country-abiding by the rules-in pursuit of freedom, opportunity, and a better life.

Many immigrants have come to Vermont and gone on to remarkable careers in high-tech fields, including at our microchip manufacturing facility in Essex Junction, or have become world-class physicians serving in Vermont’s hospitals. Immigrants are also critical to our small business community, providing a wide array of goods and services that enrich our state.

The way Congresswoman Balint reduced Vermont’s hard-working legal immigrants to little more than '*** wipers' is embarrassing. She owes them—and all Vermonters—an apology for such a shameful characterization.”