(WBRZ News 2) Two lawmakers' argument over legislation came to blows in a downtown bar Tuesday night.
According to a report from the News Star, State Rep. Stuart Bishop and state Sen. Norby Chabert were the two involved in the fistfight at the River Room on Laurel Street. Bishop said Chabert got several punches in during the confrontation.
"We had a gentleman's disagreement and settled it with our hands," Bishop told the News Star.
The fight reportedly stemmed from a disagreement over legislation at the state capitol earlier that day.
"He's not happy with me over a bill," said Bishop, who blocked a bill from Chabert as chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee.
Bishop claims they are longtime friends with similar priorities. He added that he wasn't hurt and did not return Chabert's punches.
"I'm sorry it happened," Bishop said. "As far as I'm concerned, it's settled. But you'd have to talk to [Chabert]."
Police were called to the bar, but the two had already settled their squabble and left the bar by the time officers arrived.
Bishop is a representative from Lafayette. Senator Chabert is from Houma.
After news of the late-night fisticuffs broke Wednesday morning, legislators decided to have a little fun at their colleagues' expense. Photos from the capital show crime scene tape wrapped around Bishop's desk, an apparent jab at his and Chabert's Tuesday night encounter.
Representative Bishop later took to the floor Wednesday to address the incident. "I apologize if I did anything to upset y'all or make y'all look bad, because the integrity of this body is one thing that I cherish and I hold very dear."
Bishop joked that next time it would "just be dueling guns."
Photo: Getty Images