OLYMPIA — The Seattle Times reported on Thursday, Feb. 26 that House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon issued a formal apology Thursday after admitting to being intoxicated during a House Appropriations Committee meeting the previous evening. The Seattle Democrat stated he "deeply" regrets consuming alcohol before the committee had completed its work, calling the incident a "serious mistake" and noting that "the result was obvious".

Fitzgibbon is a Democratic member of the Washington House of Representatives, representing the 34th Legislative District, Position 2. He has served this district, which includes West Seattle, White Center, Vashon Island, and parts of Burien, since 2011.

The incident took place during an executive session held to pass the House supplemental operating budget. Video footage from the meeting shows Fitzgibbon slumped in his seat and leaving his position multiple times. According to reports, the lawmaker displayed glassy eyes and slurred speech while addressing colleagues before the final vote was taken shortly after 10 p.m.. An unnamed Republican lawmaker also alleged that Fitzgibbon was sleeping during portions of the meeting.

"Being impaired in that situation was harmful to my work and to my co-workers," Fitzgibbon said in his statement. "This was a painful and embarrassing lesson, one I won’t forget".

Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) responded to the incident by stating that while the caucus expects a high standard of professionalism that was not met on Wednesday, Fitzgibbon has since apologized for his "unacceptable" behavior. Jinkins added that the people of Washington deserve legislators who are "fully focused and clear" on their work and noted that leadership will support Fitzgibbon as he takes steps to ensure his well-being.

Fitzgibbon has served in the state House of Representatives since 2010 and assumed the role of majority leader in 2022. As of Thursday afternoon, it remained unclear if he would face any formal disciplinary actions for his conduct.