This week, a congressman from the Sunshine State introduced “censure resolution condemning and censuring” four Democrats in the U.S. House “for defending foreign terrorist organizations and using rhetoric which contributed to anti-Semitic attacks across the United States.”
U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., introduced the resolution on Monday which condemns U.S. Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY, Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., and Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich.
U.S. Reps. Jim Banks, R-Ind., and Claudia Tenney, R-NY, were the main co-sponsors which was also being backed by Florida Republican U.S. Reps. Kat Cammack, Neal Dunn, John Rutherford and Dan Webster.
“We cannot turn a blind eye to members of Congress openly defending terrorist attacks by Hamas against our close ally Israel nor their dangerous rhetoric which has contributed to anti-Semitic attacks across the country,” said Waltz, the first Green Beret to serve in Congress, on Monday. “I’ve seen firsthand gross atrocities against women and ethnic minorities at the hands of the Taliban. I’ve personally been fired upon by terrorists hiding behind women and children and seen the Taliban place suicide vests on teenagers. For members of the U.S. Congress to make equivalencies to Israel and the American military, which puts its own soldiers at risk to avoid civilian casualties, is ignorant of the facts, shameful, and should be condemned in the strongest terms.”
“Reps. Omar, Talib, Pressley and Cortez have repeatedly denigrated America and our closest ally. Democrat leadership finally responded to their unhinged comments last week—with a press release,” said Banks. “Actions speak louder than squishy words. Speaker Pelosi can let members vote on our resolution, or she can cover for the Hamas Caucus and their anti-Israel and anti-American rhetoric. We’ll see.”
“Last week, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar compared the United States and Israel to Hamas and the Taliban,” said Rep. Tenney. “Sadly, this is not out of character for ‘the Squad,’ who have made a habit of trafficking in anti-Semitic rhetoric. Their actions have been completely unchecked by Democratic leadership in the House, even as vile attacks against Jewish Americans are rising. Enough is enough. Anti-Semitism has no place in Congress or the Democratic Party. Speaker Pelosi won’t stand up and take action, which is why I’m honored to do so today alongside Congressmen Waltz and Banks. We are sending a clear message that this type of rhetoric is unacceptable.”
The resolution was sent to the U.S. House Ethics Committee on Monday. It is not expected to gain much traction in the Democratic-controlled chamber.
Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com
