House rebukes Wilson for outburst against Obama

WASHINGTON, D.C. —The U.S. House of Representatives has reuked Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) for shouting "you lie" at President Obama last Wednesday.

Washingtonpost.com is reporting rare action today ended a week-long standoff during which Democrats demanded a public apology that the lawmaker refused to give.

The web site report states that the largely party-line vote of 240-179 ratified a "resolution of disapproval" against Wilson for interrupting Obama's speech last week before a joint session of Congress. Just 12 Democrats opposed the resolution against Wilson, while seven Republicans supported it, and five Democrats voted "present," rather than cast a yes or no vote, the report states.

The vote came, the report says, after an hour-long debate during which Wilson refused to apologize, saying his private phone call to White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel was sufficient because Obama himself said the matter was closed the day after his speech.

"It is clear to the American people that there are far more important issues than what we are dealing with now. . . . [Obama] graciously accepted my apology, and this issue is over," Wilson said in brief remarks.