Staff Reports
In a shocking turn of events, the House of Representatives decided against tabling a resolution to censure Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan for her controversial pro-Gaza advocacy and criticism of Israel. Many have accused her of being antisemitic, and it seems that her rhetoric on the ongoing dispute between Israel and Hamas has not gone unnoticed. Tlaib faced criticism for her defense of Hamas’s terrorist attacks on Jewish citizens of Israel, which occurred just a day prior. Her response to these horrifying acts of violence was seen by many as tantamount to justifying brutal rapes, murders, beheadings, and even the kidnapping of innocent Americans.
House Votes To Advance Resolution To Censure Rashida Tlaib For Antisemitic Rhetorichttps://t.co/Q1iFa5XkaO
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) November 7, 2023
The resolution, introduced by Republican Rep. Rich McCormick of Georgia, aimed to hold Tlaib accountable for her inaccurate statements and inflammatory rhetoric. One of the main points of contention was her use of the phrase “from the river to the sea,” which some interpreted as a call for the eradication of Israel. This phrase refers to the territory claimed by activists as Palestinian, stretching from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. McCormick’s resolution received mixed support, with 208 yeas and 213 nays, plus one member voting present. This close vote allowed the resolution to move forward to a final vote on Wednesday.
Interestingly, six Republicans voted to table the resolution, which came as a surprise to many conservatives. Republican Rep. McCormick expressed his disappointment, emphasizing the importance of holding Tlaib accountable for her words and actions. He argued that her rhetoric undermines the existence of Israel, a strong ally of the United States. It’s clear that McCormick has no intention of letting this issue slide, as he took to Twitter to voice his determination to do the right thing.
This is not the first time Tlaib has faced the possibility of censure. Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia also offered a privileged resolution to censure Tlaib, which was initially tabled by the House on a prior occasion. Tlaib, in response to these efforts, took to Twitter to express her disappointment in her colleagues, accusing them of prioritizing silencing her over saving lives. She also called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, a position that has received limited support from elected Democrats and Republicans, including President Joe Biden.
While a final vote on McCormick’s resolution to censure Tlaib is expected to receive Republican support, it will require the overwhelming majority of Republican representatives to pass. This will undoubtedly be a challenging task, assuming all representatives attend the vote. In recent history, the House has only censured one member, Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff of California, for his past actions related to investigations into then-President Donald Trump. As the drama unfolds, it remains to be seen how this rare occurrence in the House will ultimately play out.
