by: Alejandra Molina
July 25, 2020 (RNS) — Bread for the World released a statement Saturday (July 25)  saying it sought Yoho’s resignation “as an action that reaffirms our commitment to coming alongside women and people of color, nationally and globally, as they continue to lead us to a more racially inclusive and equitable world.”

Yoho’s resignation comes days after he made headlines for reportedly using a sexist slur after confronting New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez over her remarks suggesting poverty and unemployment were factors in a crime increase in New York City during COVID-19.

In the statement, Bread for the World said it met with Yoho on Friday and thanked him for his commitment “to expanding opportunity for men, women, and children around the world.”

Still, Bread for the World still sought his resignation.

“We believe that Rep. Ted Yoho’s recent actions and words as reported in the media are not reflective of the ethical standards expected of members of our Board of Directors,” Bread for the World’s statement read.

Yoho on Wednesday apologized but denied using any slur.

“Having been married for 45 years with two daughters, I’m very cognizant of my language,” Yoho said on the House floor earlier this week.  “The offensive name-calling words attributed to me by the press were never spoken to my colleague, and if they were construed that way I apologize for their misunderstanding.”

Yoho also touched on his experiences of poverty and being on food stamps. That’s why, Yoho said, he knows people can “rise up and succeed and not be encouraged to break the law.”

Yoho concluded his remarks, saying: “I cannot apologize for my passion or for loving my God, my family and my country.”

In response, Ocasio-Cortez said she didn’t need his apology and said Yoho did indeed call her the slur. Ocasio-Cortez added that Yoho’s comments are not new and that she’s encountered this type of language many times in her life.

“That is the problem,” Ocasio-Cortez said.

“This issue is not about one incident. It is cultural. It is a culture of lack of impunity, of accepting violence and violent language against women and an entire structure of power that supports that,” she said.

Bread for the World is known in Washington for galvanizing religious groups to protect federal policies that help the impoverished. The group has fought to stop proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps, and pushed for more flexibility allowing the government to provide aid for nations in need.

In his official bio on the nonprofit’s website,  Yoho was credited for helping garner support for the Global Food Security Act, which was passed by Congress in 2018.

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