A Republican politician has been called on to resign after he halted a House committee meeting to remind a Democrat colleague that placed a hand on his arm he's not gay.

Mr Metcalfe also used his interjection to urge Mr Bradford to seek out someone within his own party if he wanted to feel the touch of another man.

The interruption came seemingly out of nowhere, with Pennsylvania Democrat Matt Bradford part-way through a spirited spiel on land use when he was called out for the arm touch.

"Look, I'm a heterosexual - I have a wife," Metcalfe began. "I love my wife, I don't like men as you might. Stop touching me all the time."

Mr Metcalfe's instructions baffled Mr Bradford, who has a wife and four children. He chuckled in bewilderment at the comments, as other members of the committee laughed uncomfortably.

"Keep your hands to yourself," Mr Metcalfe continued. "If you want to touch somebody, you have people on your side of the aisle who might like it. I don't."

The moment has angered a number of groups, who are now putting pressure on Mr Metcalfe to resign, according to Pennsylvania publication The Morning Call.

Pennsylvania's Democratic Party is leading the charge, says the report.

A gay and transgender rights group and a health care workers' labour union have requested the Republican Party to strip him of his duties.

Newshub.