State Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-Carbon/Schuylkill made news over the weekend for shouting to Rep. Brian K. Sims as he spoke on the House floor last week.

Sims (@BrianSimsPA) tweeted last Thursday night, “My colleague @repknowles just yelled from the floor while I was speaking to the House to call me a “little girl!” The irony of a guy from a Party scared to death of women, who himself spent years ensuring pedophile priests couldn’t be prosecuted, thinking that’s a slur is thick.”

“What I’ve been accused of saying is not true,” Knowles said in a statement to the Times News. “I feel an explanation is warranted when my character is being intentionally and incorrectly maligned. What I said was ‘at least we aren’t doxing little girls,’ referencing the young girls Philadelphia Rep. Brian Sims bullied and attempted to disgrace on the internet last year in Philadelphia. Possibly worse, he offered a bounty to anyone who could identify three young minor children who were quietly praying outside of Planned Parenthood. His actions clearly showed a lack of respect for these young girls and their mother.”

Sims posted videos online of himself last May during a peaceful protest against abortion at a Planned Parenthood. Sims approached many protesters, some which claimed to have been “yelled at” by him. Sims’ videos made national news last year.

“Rep. Sims decided to pick and choose my words, fabricating a phrase to set a negative narrative about me, which fits the false narrative he is trying to peddle,” Knowles said.

“I cannot stand for lies and mistruths being spread about me. I have many strong women in my life, who shaped me into the person I am today. These women include my wife, mother, sisters-in-law and state representatives with whom I work every day. I would never use anyone’s gender as a negative. I know the strength that so many females have.”