DRUNK ON THE JOB: Dem lawmaker apologizes to Ari Hoffman for being drunk while debating spending bill in Wash state House meeting

High-ranking Democrat Washington state lawmaker Joe Fitzgibbon admitted on Thursday to being intoxicated while debating a spending bill, prompting him to issue an apology. The admission came after a video surfaced of Fitzgibbon slurring his words in a bizarre, drunken-fueled rant the night prior.

Fitzgibbon, the state's House Majority Leader, took responsibility for his actions in a statement issued to The Post Millennial's Ari Hoffman. "I made a poor choice last night by drinking alcohol before we had finished our work for the day. I am disappointed in myself & take responsibility for that poor choice. It won't happen again, and I'm committed to completing my work this session without alcohol," he wrote.

The incident occurred on Wednesday evening when House Republicans proposed amendments to the Democrats' $2 billion state budget increase despite back-to-back deficits. The revenue would come from the Democrat proposed "millionaire's tax," which has been rejected at least 10 times by voters and declared unconstitutional by opponents.

When it was Fitzgibbon's turn to speak, he immediately began slurring his words and stuttering before losing his train of thought. He proceeded to falsely blame Republican legislators for the multi-billion-dollar spending increase and then went on an unhinged rant about needing to raid state police and firefighter pension funds, a recent topic of controversy also proposed by Democrats. The lawmaker's drunken-fueled rambling lasted nearly five minutes.

Joe Fitzgibbon has represented the district of West Seattle since 2010. He describes himself as a leader on climate, housing, and transportation, according to his website. It's unclear if Fitzgibbon will be reprimanded for his actions.

The Post Millennial reached out to Washington House Democrats for comment.