House lawmakers blocked a GOP-led resolution on Wednesday to censure Michigan Democrat Rep. Rashida Tlaib after the “Squad” member criticized Israel over its response to the deadly Hamas terrorist attack.
The lower chamber of Congress voted 222-186, with 23 Republicans voting with Democrats to table the resolution introduced by Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who accused Tlaib of anti-Semitic activity, sympathizing with terrorist organizations, and leading an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol last month.
Greene took to social media following the vote, listing the “feckless” Republicans who joined Democrats to kill the motion, which included Michigan GOP Reps. John Moolenaar, Tim Walberg, and Bill Huizenga.
“This is why Republicans NEVER do anything to stop the communists Democrats or ever hold anyone accountable!!” Greene said on X.
Co-sponsors of the resolution included Alabama Rep. Mike Rogers, Georgia Rep. Mike Collins, Illinois Rep. Mary Miller, New Jersey Rep. Jeff Van Drew, South Carolina Rep. Jeff Duncan, Utah Rep. Burgess Owens, and Texas Reps. John Carter and Randy Weber.
Although censuring a member of Congress doesn’t carry any repercussions beyond a vote, the motion puts a symbolic stigma on the lawmaker for other colleagues to judge.
The resolution referenced an anti-Israel protest where hundreds of demonstrators organized by Jewish Voice for Peace and IfNotNow swarmed the lower rotunda of the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill on October 18. The protesters gathered to call for an immediate ceasefire in Israel and Gaza — just days after a series of horrific attacks were perpetrated against Israel by Hamas terrorists.
Authorities arrested more than 300 individuals for illegally demonstrating at the event and three others for assault on a police officer, U.S. Capitol Police spokesperson Brianna Burch told CNN.
The protesters were joined outside by Tlaib, who repeated the false claim that Israeli forces were responsible for the blast at a Gaza hospital — a blast that both American and Israeli intelligence services have determined came from inside Gaza and fell short of its likely intended target: Israel.
Following the series of events, Greene introduced the resolution, which included several of Tlaib’s criticisms of Israel dating back to 2019.
Tlaib called Greene’s resolution “unhinged” and “deeply Islamophobic and attacks peaceful Jewish anti-war advocates.”
“I am proud to stand in solidarity with Jewish peace advocates calling for a ceasefire and an end to the violence,” she wrote in a statement. “I will not be bullied, I will not be dehumanized, and I will not be silenced. I will continue to call for ceasefire, for the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid, for the release of hostages and those arbitrarily detained, and for every American to be brought home.”
“I will continue to work for a just and lasting peace that upholds the human rights and dignity of all people, and ensures that no person, no child has to suffer or live in fear of violence.”
Post a Comment