Sen. Orrin Hatch: Republicans shot their wad on health care. His office: in a Civil War kind of way.

Sen. Orrin Hatch’s (R-UT) statement to Politico that Republicans had “shot their wad on healthcare,” shocked many on social media, who interpreted the phrase as out-of-character sexual innuendo from the 83-year-old president pro tempore of the Senate.

Apparently, though, he was talking about muskets.

So says Hatch’s office, which tweeted the following on Monday:

In his original statement, Hatch was attempting to dismiss any discussion of returning to health care reform as Republicans move on to the next item on their agenda: tax reform. “We’re not going back to health care. We’re in tax now. As far as I’m concerned, they shot their wad on health care and that’s the way it is. I’m sick of it,” Hatch said to Politico last Wednesday, though published Monday.

Instead of suggesting that Republicans had wasted an opportunity to repeal Obamacare via a reference to Civil War-era muskets, it appeared to many that Hatch was referencing a common slang term for ejaculation.

Despite the clarification from Hatch’s office, many on Twitter made fun of the comment:

We have a request

Vox's journalism is free because we believe that everyone deserves to understand the world that they live in. That kind of knowledge helps create better citizens, neighbors, friends, parents, consumers and stewards of this planet. In short, understanding benefits everyone. You can join in on this mission by making a financial gift to Vox today. Reader support helps keep our work free, for everyone. Will you join us?

One-Time Monthly Annual

$95/year

$120/year

$250/year

$350/year

Other

$

Yes, I'll give $120/year

Yes, I'll give $120/year

We accept credit card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. You can also contribute via