Rep. Douglas Bruce told to leave podium over remark about Mexican workers

DENVER — Republican Rep. Douglas Bruce was ordered to leave the podium of the Colorado House of Representatives on Monday after calling Mexican workers "illiterate peasants."

Bruce made the comment during a debate on a bill that would allow the state to help immigrant workers get temporary visas from the federal government.

The Mexican Consulate in Denver did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

The bill is designed to ease a shortage of farmworkers in Colorado.

Bruce, of Colorado Springs, has had had other run-ins since arriving at the Capitol in January as a midterm appointee to fill a vacancy.

He became the first Colorado lawmaker censured by the House after he kicked a newspaper photographer for taking his picture during a prayer. Republicans later removed him the powerful State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee because he refused to co-sponsor a resolution honoring military veterans.

Bruce said he believed resolutions were a waste of time because they have no legal impact.