Florida Rep. Ted Yoho Accused Of Accosting Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez On Steps Of US Capitol

WASHINGTON (CBSMiami/CNN) - Florida Representative Ted Yoho is accused of calling New York Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez an expletive-filled name as he walked away after a heated exchange on the steps of the US Capitol.

Yoho's office denies that he made the comment.

According to a reporter from The Hill, who overheard the remarks, Yoho, a Republican, came up to Ocasio-Cortez outside the House steps and sparked a conversation about her position on unemployment and crime in New York City. Yoho said she was "disgusting" and told her she is out of her mind, according to The Hill's story. Ocasio-Cortez said he was being rude.

She confirmed the confrontation occurred in a tweet Tuesday morning.

"I never spoke to Rep. Yoho before he decided to accost me on the steps of the nation's Capitol yesterday. Believe it or not, I usually get along fine w/ my GOP colleagues. We know how to check our legislative sparring at the committee door," she wrote. "But hey, '(expletive)' get stuff done."

Yoho's communications director told CNN in a statement that the congressman "had a brief member to member conversation on the steps of the Capitol. As you know, these conversations happen frequently when the House is in session."

"He did not call Rep. Ocasio-Cortez what has been reported in the Hill or any name for that matter. It sounds better for the Hill newspaper and gets more media attention to say he called her a name - which he did not do. It is unfortunate that Rep. Ocasio-Cortez is using this exchange to gain personal attention," the spokesman said.

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