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SC Rep. Norman defends sex assault joke: 'People need to lighten up'

ROCK HILL, S.C. — U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman's off-color remark at a campaign event in which he made a joke involving the Supreme Court nomination battle in Washington has drawn fire.

The Republican congressman made light Thursday of the ongoing debate involving Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, joking that another high court judge has emerged with her own accusations of sexual assault.

“Did you all hear the late-breaking news tonight about the Kavanaugh hearings? Ruth Bader Ginsberg came out and said she was groped by Abraham Lincoln,” Ralph Norman quipped.

The remark drew scattered laughter and applause at the event and sparked immediate condemnation from South Carolina Democrats and others on social media.

Norman responded to criticism Thursday by saying, “People really need to learn to lighten up.”

[PAST COVERAGE: US Rep. Norman being sworn in Monday as SC's newest Congress member]

Norman's remarks came Thursday at the start of a debate with challenger Archie Parnell in Rock Hill.

Norman was attempting to make light of sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

He later sent a series of tweets, in part saying his comments were meant to “add a bit of levity to a very serious debate,” referring to the “circus-like” atmosphere of Washington, and saying that people really need to learn to lighten up.

Earlier Thursday, Parnell blasted Norman's original comment on Twitter, saying “My opponent apparently thinks sexual assault is a joke. It is not."

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