A clip of Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH) urging Republicans to "stop talking about Dr. Seuss" has spread widely on Twitter and racked up a large number of views.
Ryan addressed the floor on Tuesday, in regard to the pro-union PRO Act. This passed the House on Tuesday.
In his remarks, Ryan criticized GOP lawmakers in the House and said: "We talk about pensions, you complain. We talk about the minimum wage, you complain. We talk about giving them the right to organize, you complain. But if we were passing a tax cut here you'd be all getting in line to vote yes for it."
He concluded his remarks referring to those who questioned the decision for several Dr. Seuss books to cease being published, which sparked a backlash from some lawmakers.
"Now stop talking about Dr. Seuss and start working with us on behalf of the American worker."
Last week, Dr. Seuss Enterprises announced that six books by Dr. Seuss would no longer be published.
It stated the decision was taken as the books "portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong."
Several Republican lawmakers rallied against this, bemoaning "cancel culture."
The books in question are And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, If I Ran the Zoo, McElligot's Pool, On Beyond Zebra!, Scrambled Eggs Super!, and The Cat's Quizzer.
A video of Ryan's comments was shared by political commentator Brian Tyler Cohen on Twitter and has 2.8 million views at time of writing. The tweet had also received more than 89,000 likes on the platform.
Another clip of the remarks shared by The Recount has been viewed 2.5 million times at time of writing, and had garnered more than 64,000 likes.
Ryan also shared the clip from his profile, which has been viewed more than 190,000 times there, and wrote: "It had to be said. Our Republican colleagues are busy talking about Dr. Seuss when they should be working with us to help the American people."
It had to be said. Our Republican colleagues are busy talking about Dr. Seuss when they should be working with us to help the American people. pic.twitter.com/Mc7IwFlb25
— Congressman Tim Ryan (@RepTimRyan) March 9, 2021
The legislation in question passed the House in a 225-206 vote. However, it now looks to face a challenge in getting through the Senate.
It is unlikely it will receive enough support from Republicans to reach 60 votes in the upper chamber, which would allow it to avoid a filibuster.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has called on his Senate colleagues to back the legislation.
President Joe Biden has previously spoken of wanting to be "the most pro-union president you've ever seen."
Newsweek has contacted Ryan's office for comment on reaction to his remarks.
