It started off with pleasantries, but quickly descended into shouting and accusations of lying when Rep. Bill Pascrel appeared on
Fox News Channel's "Hannity" Thursday to discuss Obamacare and the government shutdown.
Sean Hannity said members of Congress can get a 72 percent subsidy for their health insurance under Obamacare that regular Americans cannot obtain. He then asked Pascrel, a New Jersey Democrat, if he wanted to defend the congressional subsidy.
Pascrel said members of Congress get no such subsidy, and added that he isn't on the federal plan, anyway.
Story continues below video.
"So you don't know what you're talking about," he told Hannity. "I don't have the so-called subsidy."
Hannity shot back in a raised voice, "You're getting special perks and special breaks for yourself, so cut the crap and stop lying to the audience."
"No, you stop the crap. You don't know what you're talking about. You've been lying," Pascrel responded.
Rep. Matt Salmon, a Republican from Arizona, sat between the two on a three-way split screen, looking bemused for most of the back-and-forth.
"Congressman, be straight with the American people," Salmon said at one point, telling Pascrel that the subsidy was indeed available to members of Congress.
"Your pants are on fire, Sean!" Pascrel yelled, pointing his finger into the camera.
"You're an elitist. You think you're above the American people," Hannity said.
Hannity offered to bet $10,000 for charity that the Congress is offered the subsidy under the Affordable Care Act, but Pascrel declined to take him up on it.
"I only bet with people who are straight," Pascrel said. "I only talk to people who are straight, Sean."
"So, you're full of crap," Hannity said, ending the segment.
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