WASHINGTON — A freshman congressman from Florida erroneously lectured two US government officials about things “your country” should do — under the mistaken belief they were from India.
The officials, Nisha Biswal and Arun Kumar, were both Americans representing the State and Commerce departments at a hearing of a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee.
But the Republican lawmaker, Curt Clawson — who just weeks ago replaced Rep. Tray Radel, who quit Congress in January after he got caught buying cocaine — seemed convinced they were Indian officials.
“I am familiar with your country; I love your country,” he said. “Anything I can do to make the relationship with India better, I’m willing and enthusiastic about doing so.”
He added, “Just as your capital is welcome here to produce good-paying jobs in the US, I’d like our capital to be welcome there
. . . Can I have that?”
Unruffled, Biswal responded, while her colleague grinned: “I think your question is to the Indian government.”
Foreign Policy’s blog dug up the humiliating clip.