California Republican pulled over for speeding while giving radio interview

Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Calif.) had to cut short a radio interview Friday
morning after a Virginia police officer pulled him over for speeding.

Lungren, who had called into Sacramento station KFBK to discuss internationalizing Megan’s Law, stopped moments after the interview began, saying “Uh, uh, I have to get off the phone just a moment here. … I’m sorry, I’m talking with a police officer here.” 

While the officer was deciding whether to cite him, the congressman called the station back, and completed the interview in a few minutes.

He was issued a warning.

The “International Megan’s Law,” sponsored by New Jersey Rep. Chris Smith (R), passed the House on Tuesday. It encourages other countries to adopt versions of Megan’s Law, which allows for public access to information about where convicted sex offenders live. It also would require officials to notify other countries when offenders who pose a risk travel abroad. 

Meanwhile Lungren has been criticized in his district by Democratic challenger Ami Bera, who says the highway incident shows that he thinks “the rules don’t apply to him and he can get special treatment.”

A Lungren campaign adviser fired back with a quip.

“He was in a hurry to get back to the Capitol to save his constituents from Nancy Pelosi.”