The newly elected Republican congresswoman who accused House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of pushing her daughter during a swearing-in ceremony has admitted that the girl had nothing to worry about at the time.
Texas Representative Mayra Flores was sworn in by Pelosi last Tuesday and took to Twitter Sunday to accuse the powerful Democrat of smearing her daughter after a video of the incident surfaced online.
On Monday, Flores said she discussed the incident with her daughter afterwards, but that during the ceremony the girl was “so focused on the event that she honestly didn’t see what had just happened.”
“She kept smiling and didn’t let that ruin such a special moment, so I’m very proud of her, she’s a queen,” she added in an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity.
Flores said the alleged push only came to her attention when she later watched a video of the event, which claimed to see Pelosi poking an elbow into the young girl.
Rep. Texas Mayra Flores accused Nancy Pelosi of pushing her daughter during her swearing-in ceremony last week, but says the girl didn’t even notice at the time
A newly elected Republican congressman has accused Nancy Pelosi of pushing her young daughter aside during a photo shoot.
“I saw it after that and yes, I was very disappointed and disgusted by it. No child should be pushed aside for a photo,” said the newly elected representative.
Flores made history by becoming the first Mexican-born congressman elected to the House after flipping a long-standing Democratic seat in an open special election earlier this month.
She is the mother of four and has not released their names or ages – but the younger Pelosi accused of pushing appears to be her second youngest.
The video of the incident shows Pelosi extending her right elbow as the girl standing next to her tilts to the side as if being stabbed.
Pelosi’s defenders argue that the video does not show the San Francisco Democrat elbowing the girl, but rather moving her arm in front of her as the child swings on her feet.
Pelosi’s spokesman, Drew Hamill, denied Flores’ claim, saying the speaker was trying to ensure the youngster remained in the picture.
The pushing controversy erupted when this official sworn photo was taken
Flores (pictured here with her children) became the first Mexican-born congressman after winning a special election. She has four children with her husband who is a border police officer
Pelosi’s spokesman Drew Hamill denied that the Speaker of the House had tried to sideline the youngster
He also accused “news channels” of twisting the story, despite Flores himself making the claim on Twitter.
He said: “It’s sad to see ‘news channels’ better able to misrepresent the Speaker’s efforts to ensure that Rep. Flores wouldn’t be hidden behind her in all the photos of such an important moment for their family.’
Flores, 36, married to a Border Patrol agent and has four children, accused Pelosi on Twitter, saying: “No child should be pushed aside for a photo. PERIOD OF TIME!!
“I’m so proud of my strong, beautiful daughter because it didn’t upset her.
“She kept smiling and posing like a queen for the picture.”
Video on social media shows Pelosi gesturing and beckoning the family pastor.
She then looks at the young girl and seems to move her elbow toward her as the daughter walks away.
Rep. Texas Mayra Flores was sworn in by the House Speaker last week as she posed for a photo at the White House
The congressman’s two daughters stood next to Pelosi who appeared to “elbow” one of them during the ceremony
Flores didn’t seem to notice at the time, but she commented after the footage was widely shared.
Actor-turned Republican commentator James Woods shared the clip, saying, “I love this princess stood her ground, while Nancy showed her true nature.”
Flores won a special election this month to replace Texas Democrat Rep. Philemon Vela, who retired before the end of his tenure.
Speaking at the ceremony, Pelosi said, “It is a great honor to welcome Congressman Flores to the United States Capitol and Congress with my heartfelt congratulations.
And again, thankful for her leadership and her beautiful family who are here today.
Thank you Congressman Flores for your courage in running for office and best wishes for your success. It’s an honor to work with you.’
Flores, a GOP organizer who is the daughter of migrant workers and a respiratory care practitioner, will hold the chair for several months
Flores, a GOP organizer who is the daughter of migrant workers and a respiratory care practitioner, will hold the seat for several months before the district is re-elected to be more favorable to Democrats.
But her victory in the heavily Hispanic Rio Grand Valley is an ominous sign for Democrats — and shows Republicans breaking through among Spanish voters.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said he first voted Republican to vote for Flores.
He tweeted: “I voted for Mayra Flores – the first time I’ve ever voted Republican. Huge red wave in 2022.
Flores praised former President Donald Trump in her victory speech.
“We have to state the facts: that under President Trump we didn’t have this mess in this country,” she said. ‘And I want to see the Hispanic community rise. And I want equal representation in both parties — I’m the first Mexican-American to ever be elected to Congress,” she cheered.
Flores’ win makes her the first Mexican-born American to serve in the U.S. House, as well as the first Republican Latina from the state of Texas to serve.
Flores had 51 percent of the vote, compared to Sanchez’s 43 percent when the Democrat conceded the race in a district where 85 percent of residents are Latino.
Her victory also affects the ambitions of Democrats in Congress, denying Pelosi the chance to add her narrow margin of two votes to pass legislation.
Flores, who has echoed Trump’s fraudulent election claims, immigrated to the United States when she was six years old from Burgos Tamaulipas in Mexico and her parents were farm workers in Texas.
Republican Mayra Flores (pictured hugging a supporter in San Benito, Texas, before the results were announced) made history this month by becoming the first Mexican-born congressman to serve in the House after defeating a Democrat in a primary. in Texas
During her childhood, Flores worked with her parents in the cotton fields in Memphis to earn extra money for school clothes and supplies.
She graduated as a respiratory care practitioner in 2014 and currently works in caring for the elderly and disabled with chronic respiratory problems – helping people suffering from COVID-19.
Flores later graduated with a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership and now serves as the Hidalgo County GOP Hispanic Outreach Chair.
Flores, who describes herself as “Pro-Life, Pro-Second Amendment, and Pro-Law Enforcement,” has four children with her husband, a Border Patrol agent, and promotes strict immigration policies.
According to her websiteFlores believes in strengthening the legal immigration system, securing borders, lowering health care costs, lowering taxes, promoting small businesses and less government.
Flores awaits elections again in November against Democrat candidate Vicente Gonzalez.