Bruce calls Mexican workers 'illiterate peasants'

State Rep. Douglas BruceState Rep. Douglas Bruce (R-Colorado Springs) found himself in controversy yet again Monday when he was removed from the state House podium after calling Mexican workers "illiterate peasants," the Associated Press reported.

Bruce made the comment while speaking before the state House about HB 1325, which would allow Colorado to help up to 1,000 seasonal workers in Mexico get temporary federal work visas.

"I would like to have the opportunity to state at the microphone why I don't think we need 5,000 more illiterate peasants in Colorado," Bruce said, according to the AP.

The remark drew an audible gasp from the House, and state Rep. Kathleen Curry (D-Gunnison), who was chairing the debate, removed Bruce from the podium.

"How dare you," Curry said to Bruce, according to the AP.

Bruce later defended his comments.

I looked up 'illiterate' in the dictionary and it means somebody who is lacking in formal education or is unable to read and write," he said, according to the AP. "I don't think these people who are planning to come over here and pick potatoes or peaches are likely to have much of a formal education. I looked up the word 'peasant.' The word 'peasant' means a person who works in agricultural fields.

"These people, most of them, don't speak English. Most of them haven't had any formal education, that's why they're coming over here," Bruce continued. "I don't blame them for trying, but I don't think we should pave the way for more aliens to come here."

Bruce said he had been working on his two-page, single-spaced speech for about a week, according to the Denver Post.

Assistant House Majority Leader Terrance Carroll (D-Denver) said Bruce's comment could result in a formal ethics complaint, according to the Grand Junction Sentinel. That means a hearing and potentially a suspension, censure or explusion from the House.

Legislative leaders did not say Monday whether a formal complaint had been filed, the Post reported.

House Minority Leader Mike May (R-Parker) said he regrets Bruce also has an "R" after his name, according to the Pueblo Chieftain.

"All of us were stunned that even he would stoop to that level," May said, according to the Chieftain. "My ancestors were illiterate peasants from Ireland, as I think most Americans' ancestors were. He insulted all of America and their ancestors."

Bruce has already been censured by the House earlier this year for kicking a news photographer on the House floor -- the first time a House member had been censured in Colorado history.

HB 1325, sponsored by state Rep. Marsha Looper (R-Calhan), later passed on a voice vote.