Rep. Mandela Barnes, D-Milwaukee, accused Gannon of making "vacuous" statements and engaging in "irresponsible rhetoric."

Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa, D-Milwaukee, said Gannon had offended people of color throughout Wisconsin. Both lawmakers asked Gannon to apologize and retract his statement.

But while Gannon apologized for losing his cool on the floor, he doubled down on the spirit and content of his original comments.

Gannon said Milwaukee's mayor, police chief and district attorney are failing to keep the city's citizens safe. He argued that the city's criminal activity is spilling into his district, which neighbors Milwaukee.

"Put your focus where it belongs and stop worrying about me," Gannon said, addressing Milwaukee Democrats. "Your drugs, your crime knows no border. The 58th Assembly District is being impacted by the out-of-control crime in the city of Milwaukee."

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, urged the legislators to focus on the positive things the Assembly had accomplished Tuesday, including passing legislation aimed at addressing prescription drug abuse and a bill that would lift the state's nuclear moratorium.

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