Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, apologized March 2 for comments he made the previous day insulting the ACA and its supporters, according to The Hill.
Mr. Hatch spoke March 1 at the American Enterprise Institute, where he voiced criticism over former President Barack Obama's signature healthcare legislation.
"[We] finally did away with the individual mandate tax that was established under that wonderful bill called Obamacare. Now, if you didn't catch on, I was being very sarcastic. That was the stupidest, dumbass bill that I've ever seen," Mr. Hatch said, according to The Hill. "Some of you may have loved it. If you do, you are one of the stupidest, dumbass people I've ever met. And there are a lot of them up there on Capitol Hill from time to time."
Mr. Hatch tweeted an apology the day after he made the controversial comments.
"Yesterday, I made a poorly worded joke about Obamacare supporters — a joke that was not reflective of my actual feelings towards my friends on the other side," Mr. Hatch tweeted. "Throughout my term of service, I have always recognized the importance of civility, particularly in engaging with those of different political perspectives. While I occasionally slip up, I believe that my legislative record reflects my commitment to bipartisanship and civility much more than my flippant, off-the-cuff comment."