The House of Representatives has officially censured Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) after a second attempt. Following the social media post made by Rep. Tlaib which included a Hamas rallying cry – “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” – Representative Rich McCormick’s (R-GA) censure resolution passed by a vote of 234 to 188.
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) brought forth the first attempt to censure Rep. Tlaib before the release of the social media post, but Republicans such as Representative Chip Roy (R-TX) voted against it.
The Texas congressman said that Tlaib’s conduct at the time was “unbecoming of a member of Congress” and “worthy of condemnation,” but the resolution was also “feckless.”
“Rep. Rashida Tlaib has repeatedly made outrageous remarks toward Israel and the Jewish people. Her conduct is unbecoming of a member of Congress and certainly worthy of condemnation - if not censure,” said Rep. Roy. “However, tonight’s feckless resolution to censure Tlaib was deeply flawed and made legally and factually unverified claims, including the claim of leading an "insurrection.”
Later in Rep. Roy’s rationale, he mentioned that Republicans should not throw around claims of “insurrection” lightly, leading him to vote to table the resolution. He voted to censure Tlaib in the second vote.
Moreover, a total of five Democrats from the state of Florida voted for Tlaib’s censure during the second vote. This included Representatives Lois Frankel, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and Jared Moskowitz
Rep. Moskowitz defended members of Congress and their ability to speak freely, but also emphasized that her speech “does not reflect the opinion of the chamber.”
I voted for the censure resolution. Calling for Israel to be eliminated crosses a line. Any member can spew antisemitic vitriol and call for the destruction of the Jewish State. But the House also can make it clear that speech does not reflect the opinion of the chamber. https://t.co/s9d3FD7m4n
— Jared Moskowitz 🟧 (@JaredEMoskowitz) November 8, 2023
“I voted for the censure resolution. Calling for Israel to be eliminated crosses a line. Any member can spew antisemitic vitriol and call for the destruction of the Jewish State. But the House also can make it clear that speech does not reflect the opinion of the chamber,” said Rep. Moskowitz.
Last week, after Tlaib put out a statement on social media defending the Hamas rallying cry, Rep. Wasserman Schultz said that trying to change the narrative surrounding the chant would not change its meaning.
This phrase means eradicating Israel and Jews. Period. Dressing it up in a new PR ploy won’t change that. Only a return of hostages, eliminating Hamas and liberating Gaza from oppressive terror will save civilian lives and secure the peace, justice and dignity you seek. https://t.co/pPcjpMYRkS
— Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (@RepDWStweets) November 5, 2023
“This phrase means eradicating Israel and Jews. Period. Dressing it up in a new PR ploy won’t change that. Only a return of hostages, eliminating Hamas and liberating Gaza from oppressive terror will save civilian lives and secure the peace, justice and dignity you seek,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz.
Reps. Darren Soto (D-FL) and Frederica Wilson (D-FL) broke from the party, making a total of 22 Democratic representatives who voted for Tlaib’s censure.
