Lawmakers in the House roped off the area around Rep. Stuart Bishop's desk, on Wednesday, May 16, 2018, in Baton Rouge, La. The police tape was a joke after Bishop, R-Lafayette, got into a bar fight with Sen. Norby Chabert, a Houma Republican, a night earlier. Both say they regret the fight and consider themselves friends. (AP Photo/Melinda Deslatte)
Republished May 16, 2018 - 1:16 PM
Original Publication Date May 16, 2018 - 10:46 AM
BATON ROUGE, La. - Two Louisiana lawmakers say they regret getting into a bar fight over legislation.
Rep. Stuart Bishop says Sen. Norby Chabert punched him several times at a downtown Baton Rouge bar, but he didn't strike back. They left before police arrived, and no arrests were made.
The News-Star reports that Bishop, of Lafayette, said: "We had a gentleman's disagreement and settled it with our hands."
Chabert said: "I love Stuart like a brother, and sometimes brothers fight."
Bishop says Chabert, of Houma, was angry one of his bills was blocked.
Gov. John Bel Edwards called it an unfortunate episode between two good friends, and said "They're going to continue to work together."
Both Republicans apologized to their colleagues Wednesday. In the House, crime scene tape was jokingly hung around Bishop's desk.
News from © The Associated Press, 2018