Metcalfe says he's no bully, but keeps silencing foes

State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe says he is no bully, but gets cast that way because "the left does a great job of smearing people."

The Butler County Republican played right into that role again last week with a very public display of intolerance for an opposing point of view.

Metcalfe, chairman of the State Government Committee, held a hearing Monday on legislation to make English the "official language of the Commonwealth."

He objected when State Rep. Leslie Acosta, a Philadelphia Democrat, started her remarks in Spanish.

Things were no better when she switched to English, explaining that Spanish-speakers should learn English to be successful but warning of a legal case that she said raises constitutional questions about the legislation.

Acosta was making a statement to set up her questions. This is standard procedure in politics.

Metcalfe interrupted after less than two minutes, insisting that Acosta ask a question. He then cut her off when she continued with her remarks.

Acosta later said there are no House rules on how to ask a question. But the chairman holds the power in how hearings are held.

Metcalfe accused Acosta of trying to "run out the clock" on the hearing.

Acosta's preempted questions were for Robert Vandervoort, who was testifying for ProEnglish, a group he leads that advocates for such legislation.

Acosta on Thursday took to the House floor to decry Metcalfe's move to silence her. She also derided Vandervoort as a "white supremacist."

Vandervoort and Metcalfe called that comment a smear. Metcalfe suggested that bringing up Vandervoort's race was racist.

So this was not the state House's finest hour.

And it was not Metcalfe's first foray into governmental censorship.

He pulled a similar move on State Rep. Brian Sims, another Philadelphia Democrat, in 2013.

Sims, the first openly gay candidate to win a seat in the House, was making remarks on the House floor about the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

Metcalfe silenced Sims before he could finish, explaining later that what he heard was "open rebellion against what the word of God has said."

Metcalfe on Friday said he wasn't the only House member who wanted Sims to be silenced that day.

That is not a great defense for censorship.

Sims was in the first year of his first term when Metcalfe silenced him.

Acosta is now in the first year of her first term.

It is hard not to see Metcalfe in the role of bully. Bullies pick on the new kids, according to the universal rules of school yards and legislatures.

They also tend to torment the unfamiliar.

Some demographics can provide some context.

Metcalfe's district covers part of Butler County, just north of Pittsburgh.

Just 1.3 percent of the residents in Metcalfe's district are Latino, while 96 percent are white. Sixty-two percent of the voters there supported his bid last year for a ninth two-year term in office.

If those voters want him to push English-language legislation, then so be it.

By contrast, 54 percent of the residents in Acosta's North Philadelphia district are Latino, while 20 percent are white. She won a four-candidate primary there last year with 49 percent of the vote and had no challenger in the general election.

If her constituents oppose the bill, so be it.

Metcalfe claims that Acosta and others opposed to the legislation would rather make accusations than debate the issue. That's a curious accusation coming from a guy known for shutting down speech.

brennac@phillynews.com

215-854-5973

@ByChrisBrennan