The Hill News

Former Rep. David Obey (D-Wis.) attended protests at Wisconsin's state capitol this week, and complained that he had not been allowed inside the building.

Pro-union protesters have demonstrated for weeks both inside and outside the capitol building in Madison, Wis. over GOP Gov. Scott Walker's controversial budget plan. Video emerged Wednesday of Obey, who retired this year, trying to gain access to the capitol and being told to wait in line with other demonstrators.

{mosads}"I came here and tried to walk in. They told me to get in line and let in these folks who have been waiting for over an hour," said the congressman who served over four decades in the House. "My question is why the hell are they expected to wait an hour. This is their capitol, not just the governor's capitol. He is a temporary occupant of that building, he isn't a permanent king."

Media reports have indicated that access to the capitol has been limited. Democratic legislators and demonstrators have claimed they are being shut out of the building in defiance of a court order demanding that the capitol be open to all.

State officials have claimed that the building remains open to the public and state workers. But officials have looked to limit access, citing the high cost of law enforcement regulating the crowds and the need to clean the building. 

The Wisconsin protests have become a national symbol of the battle over the federal budget and long-term debt. President Obama has said he supports the union's position, and Republican leaders have said that Walker has taken the correct path.

Video of Obey showed him being told to join a line of demonstrators waiting to enter the building. Some told him they had been waiting for over an hour.

"I served in the! Congress for 42 years representing this state and I served in! this bo dy for six years," Obey said. "And there is no way I should not be allowed to walk into this capitol any time, there is no way the taxpayers should not be able to."

"This is absolute nonsense," he added.

VIDEO

h/t The Uptake