'I’m familiar with your country; I love your country,' he says to the staff. Pol sorry for nationality gaffe

A freshman lawmaker apologized Friday after mistaking two U.S. officials for Indian nationals, saying he “shot an air ball.”

“I made a mistake in speaking before being fully briefed and I apologize. I’m a quick study, but in this case I shot an air ball,” Rep. Curt Clawson (R-Fla.) said, according to USA Today.


On Thursday, Clawson had asked U.S. officials Nisha Biswal and Arun Kumar during a congressional hearing about “your country” and “your government.” However, Biswal and Kumar work at the U.S. State Department and Commerce Department, respectively, Foreign Policy reported on Friday.

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“I’m familiar with your country; I love your country,” Clawson said at the House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing.

Foreign Policy said that Clawson’s questioning elicited “looks of confusion” from Biswal and Kumar, who Clawson believed were representing the Indian government.

“Just as your capital is welcome here to produce good-paying jobs in the U.S., I’d like our capital to be welcome there,” Clawson said. “I ask cooperation and commitment and priority from your government in so doing. Can I have that?”

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“I think your question is to the Indian government,” Biswal responded, according to Foreign Policy. “We certainly share your sentiment, and we certainly will advocate that on behalf of the U.S.”

Biswal also took to Twitter late Friday night, expressing understanding for the “honest mistake.”

“Honest mistake by new Member of Congress -but the strength & beauty of America is its diversity. Proud to represent my country & Prez Obama,” Biswal tweeted.