TALLAHASSEE, FL --- New bill discrepancies over Floridian support of Israel ended in tears. After Republican Rep. Randy Fine called Democratic Rep. Angie Nixon’s move for an Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire a step toward terrorism, Rep. Nixon delivered a passionate response.
“If Democrats want to be terrorists—you know—they’re allowed, it’s America.” Rep. Fine told The Floridian Monday afternoon, reacting to Nixon’s resolution, HR 31C, which calls for an immediate de-escalation between Israel and Palestine.
Her resolution comes into direct conflict with three other pieces of legislation—including a resolution by Fine—calling for staunch support of Israel.
In our interview with Rep. Nixon, she broke down into tears after hearing Fine’s comments.
“There are three thousand babies that have nothing: they’re not terrorists—they’re babies. They don’t know what’s going on, they were born there. And to act as though their lives don’t matter? I’m sorry, that is concerning to me," Nixon said.
She continued tearfully, saying, “Hamas should be held accountable—period. But we’ve lost thousands of lives that had nothing to do with that. And I can’t sit by and be complicit and not say anything, especially if we are calling a special session to address that issue. That’s not right.”
Fine, whose resolution states that Israel has a right to protect its citizens “by eliminating Hamas without ceasefire or pause”, highlights the danger of negotiating peace.
“It would be rewarding Hamas. Remember—there was a ceasefire on October 6th, so there could be a ceasefire today, but animals—and frankly that’s not fair to animals—decided to go and slaughter 1400 Jewish people. The only solution to that is to kill them," said Fine.
Nixon is no stranger to controversy, landing on front-page headlines for calling out Governor DeSantis' "anti-woke polices" following a shooting and killing of three black men in her district, citing loosened gun restrictions enacted over the summer. "The governor has blood on his hands."
Fine's resolution passed the House floor Tuesday afternoon, with Democratic Reps. Anna Eskamani and Fentrice Driskell, along with Nixon, being the only "no" votes.
Nixon's resolution failed almost unanimously, only gaining "yea" votes from herself and Rep. Eskamani.
