Democratic U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham speaks to the media and supporters during his Election Night partyTuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, in Charleston, S.C. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)
Today was the second time Representative Joe Cunningham (D-S.C., 1st District) tried to bring some brews onto the hallowed floors of the House.
This time he prevailed, despite the rules against it.
Cunningham, the freshman Democrat who lost his reelection bid this November, made a toast on the floor to bipartisanship, stating, "We have to sit down and listen to each other, and maybe even have a beer."
"In the spirit of bipartisanship and cooperation," he said, reaching into his jacket pocket for the contraband, "I raise this glass to my colleagues, both Democrats and Republicans."
The beer was a local brand called Joint Resolution by DC Brau, not from the variety six-pack of Charleston, South Carolina, beers the congressman tried to bring on the Hill to distribute to a colleague back in 2019, according to The Post and Courier.
Cunningham served only one term, losing to Republican Nancy Mace. He had touted his bona fides as the fourth most bipartisan representative who even had two of his bills signed into law by President Donald Trump, The Hill reported.
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