Representative Rashida Tlaib (D., Mich.) is facing a second censure resolution over her antisemitic comments and her incitement of an “illegal occupation” in the U.S. Capitol — a Republican-led move that seeks to formally punish the “Squad” member for her criticism of Israel’s war against Hamas in retaliation against the terror attacks of October 7.
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R., Ga.) reintroduced the motion Monday to censure Tlaib for “antisemitic activity and sympathizing with terrorist organizations” less than a week after Greene’s first attempt at censuring her failed. On Wednesday, 23 House Republicans voted with Democrats to effectively kill the measure; they objected to the resolution’s language, which originally stated that Tlaib led an “insurrection” at the Capitol. This was a reference to an anti-Israel rally, where Tlaib spoke to attendees, that led to protesters illegally demonstrating inside a congressional office building last month.
In response to the concerns raised by her Republican colleagues, Greene modified the resolution to win more GOP votes. She needs a majority vote of 218 for the measure to move forward.
In her latest push to censure Tlaib, Greene changed the word “insurrection” to “illegal occupation” in order to gather remaining support from the House Republicans who had dissented, including Representatives Chip Roy (R., Texas), Victoria Spartz (R., Ind.), and Ken Buck (R., Colo.). Last week, Roy particularly took issue with the term “insurrection,” over its association with the January 6 Capitol riot nearly three years ago.
“In January 2021, the legal term insurrection was stretched and abused by many following the events at the Capitol. We should not continue to perpetuate claims of ‘insurrection’ at the Capitol and we should not abuse the term now,” Roy posted on X.
In the month since Israel retaliated against Hamas, Tlaib has repeatedly called for an immediate cease-fire in the Middle Eastern conflict. The House Democrat, who is of Palestinian descent, has failed to condemn Hamas’s actions since the October 7 invasion and has labeled Israel an “apartheid government.”
Greene’s legislation also included Tlaib’s social-media video over the weekend that accused President Joe Biden of supporting the “genocide” of Palestinians by calling for more wartime aid to Israel. The video shows pro-Palestinian marches in several U.S. cities where protesters are chanting “From the river to the sea” — a slogan that advocates the collapse of Israel as a nation and the genocide of Jews.
The House may also consider a similar resolution to censure Tlaib in the near future. Representative Rich McCormick (R., Ga.) announced his intent to file such a measure just before Greene reintroduced hers on the floor. A vote on Greene’s censure resolution will be scheduled within the next two legislative days.