At the end of a discussion on health care and international trade and commerce, Dingell said the "Koreans are every bit as good at screwing" Americans in the "world marketplace."

Asked moments afterwards to clarify his anti-South Korean comment, Dingell didn't recall what he said as he was led out of the room by his wife, Democratic National Committee member Debbie Dingell, and an unknown aide.

“I said what?” said Dingell, who clearly didn’t understand his statement against an American ally could offend some people. “Their IRS investigates you if you buy an American car. If they want to take offense to it, they are perfectly free to do so.”

The 81-year-old, who has held his House seat since 1955, is known for blasting the trade politics of South Korea, China and other U.S. economic partners.