The strange case of the winking congressman

As a lawmaker addressed his colleagues about legislation on Capitol Hill Tuesday, at least one congressman appeared to have his mind on other matters. 

Video captured by C-SPAN shows Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) winking at the camera and apparently texting during a speech by his colleague on the House floor on Tuesday. 

Harris is seen sliding onto a chair behind Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.), who was delivering a speech on a Transportation Security Agency program, before giving a quick look around at his fellow lawmakers. He then looks directly at the camera and winks. 

Harris is seen holding a smartphone in his left hand, which he apparently shields with a piece of paper in his right. He then appears to type on the phone, smiling several times and winking once more. 

After a couple minutes, the lawmaker shows a serious face, stands up and walks off.

The Republican physician has represented Maryland in the House since 2011. 

He was in the news in December, when a Capitol Hill bike shop banned him from its store over his role pushing legislation blocking pot legalization in the District of Columbia.

Harris was hit by personal tragedy last year when his wife of three decades died after a heart attack.

Responding to an inquiry from The Hill about the video, Harris spokeswoman Shelby Hodgkins wrote in an email, “His mother watches for him on C-Span and gets a kick out of seeing him on TV.”

Watch the video here.