Rep. Dan Crenshaw claps back at critics who question his patriotism with an x-ray of his combat injury

• Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Texas fired back at critics who questioned his patriotism following an emotional congressional hearing about the 9/11 Victim's Compensation Fund on Tuesday.
• Crenshaw was previously dogged by media reports of him not immediately supporting the bill. He later supported the bill in May.
• Crenshaw, who was wounded in 2012 after an improvised explosive device detonated in Afghanistan, replied to an errant tweet and included an x-ray of his injuries.
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Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Texas fired back at critics who questioned his patriotism following an emotional congressional hearing about the 9/11 Victim's Compensation Fund on Tuesday.

Crenshaw, a former Navy SEAL and Purple Heart recipient, was under intense scrutiny from some critics, including Democratic Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, for not immediately supporting the 9/11 Victim's Compensation Fund.

The 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund aims to provide compensation for those who "suffered physical harm or [were] killed" in the 9/11 attacks or its aftermath. Funding for the measure had been drying up since its inception and lawmakers on Tuesday listened to first responders' testimony on the importance of reauthorizing the bill.

Crenshaw was previously dogged by media reports of him not immediately supporting the bill. In April, Crenshaw told The New York Daily News he "certainly" supported the fund, but said he would hold out until it was finalized to "see what the final bill is like."

"I hope they don't put poison pills in it so that we are forced to vote against it," Crenshaw said.

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The Republican lawmaker was also accused of snubbing a retired New York firefighter who confronted him about the bill in the hallways of Capitol Hill. Crenshaw denied having ignored the retired firefighter and alleged the fiasco was a conspiracy tied to Democratic operatives, according to The New York Daily News.

Following Tuesday morning's emotional hearing that included a scathing monologue from comedian Jon Stewart, critics homed in on the Republican.

Crenshaw, however, said he would support the bill in May.

"Anytime a Republican says they are 'patriots' ask them if they voted to fund the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund," Wajahat Ali, a New York Times contributing columnist, said in a now-deleted tweet. "You know who's for it? Ilhan Omar. You know who hasn't sponsored it? Dan Crenshaw."

Crenshaw, who was wounded in 2012 after an improvised explosive device detonated in Afghanistan, replied to the tweet and included an x-ray. Crenshaw's office confirmed to INSIDER that it was an x-ray from his injury.

"Hey 'journalist,' maybe you should check your facts," Crenshaw said on Twitter. "I am a co-sponsor. Nice try though. Also, 'patriotism.'"

Crenshaw right eye was irreparably damaged in the explosion. He often wears a glass eye emblazoned with the Navy SEAL insignia, which appears to show on his x-ray:

Ali deleted his original tweet and apologized for the comment: "I have no problem admitting it & correcting the record with facts," he said on Twitter. "For those trying to 'own' me, especially as you still promote 'alternative facts,' enjoy Tuesday."