A Seattle Democrat apologized after he was caught being drunk at a State House budget meeting. 

Washington House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon was seen slurring his words and nearly napping at the House Appropriations Committee meeting on Wednesday night. 

He appeared to struggle to get through his train of thought, awkwardly pausing and stuttering through his speech. At points, his eyelids appeared to droop as he struggled to stay awake. 

‘In spite of those incredible expenses…that Washington State taxpayers are now being asked…to bear,’ he said, dragging out the last word. 

The Democrat, who represents West Seattle, admitted to being ‘impaired’ during the meeting after consuming alcohol beforehand – a move he said he ‘deeply’ regrets. 

‘This was a painful and embarrassing lesson, one I won’t forget,’ he said in a statement to Seattle Red. 

‘I am disappointed in myself and take responsibility for that poor choice. It won’t happen again, and I’m committed to completing my work this session without alcohol.’

It is unclear if he will face disciplinary action. 

Washington House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon admitted to being drunk at the State House meeting on Wednesday 

Fitzgibbon (pictured back row in white) was caught nodding off during the meeting and slurring his words 

Four Republican lawmakers told the radio station that Fitzgibbon was ‘clearly drunk’ and ‘hammered.’ 

‘He was sleeping, quite a bit [during the meeting],’ one source told the station. ‘Lets just say someone said they weren’t sure if he’d pass a field sobriety test.

‘I’ve never seen him like that before.’  

A different lawmaker agreed, saying the behavior was ‘very out of character’ for Fitzgibbon. 

The budget hearing finished shortly after 10pm. 

The Daily Mail has reached out to Fitzgibbon for comment.