Nearly two dozen House Republicans crossed the aisle to vote alongside Democrats to kill a censure resolution against Rashida Tlaib (D., Mich.). The censure vote was prompted by inflammatory statements and disproven claims that Tlaib made in the wake of Hamas’s bloody incursion into Israel on October 7. The 23 Republicans pointed to the censure’s substance, which they argue contained unconfirmed claims and outlandish language, as the basis for their votes against censure.
Marjorie Taylor Greene (R., Ga.), who originally introduced the measure, denounced fellow Republicans as “feckless” for not supporting the resolution. “This is why Republicans NEVER do anything to stop the communists Democrats or ever hold anyone accountable!!” the firebrand representative wrote on X following the vote.
Greene posted a list of Republican representatives who “voted WITH Democrats to table my censure resolution against Tlaib,” including Chip Roy of Texas, Victoria Spartz of Indiana, and Ken Buck of Colorado. “These same ‘conservatives’ have never lifted a finger to help Jan6 defendants,” Green added. “They could care less that they are rotting in jail.”
Some of the “conservatives” on this list are claiming they couldn’t vote to censure Tlaib bc my resolution called Oct 18th an insurrection.
These same “conservatives” have never lifted a finger to help Jan6 defendants.
They could care less that they are rotting in jail. https://t.co/dhafHxYLkA
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) November 2, 2023
Roy defended his vote against the motion with an acknowledgment that 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,” the House Freedom Caucus member wrote on X. “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.'”
“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,” the Texas representative concluded.
Statement on Tabling Censure of Rep. Tlaib. “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. (1/3)
— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) November 2, 2023
Another Republican dissenter, Tim Walberg (R., Mich.), cited the importance of free speech in his opposition to Greene’s resolution. “As much as I disagree with previous comments made by Rep. Tlaib, First Amendment liberties are for every American, and I will support this constitutional right, whether the speaker is on the political left or right and whether they are speaking heinous lies or harsh truths,” Walberg noted.
“When we hear evil speech, we should not look to the government for the answer but rather speak up as individuals to denounce it.”
A retaliatory countermeasure introduced by Becca Balint (D., Vt.) to censure Greene was also pulled from the docket ahead of Wednesday’s vote. “Given the fact that this conference voted unanimously for an election denier, there was a question of whether my resolution to censure Rep. Greene could pass with the votes it needed from ‘moderate’ Republicans. They have shown they are unable to stand up in moments that require courage,” Balint said in a statement taking a shot at the newly-elected Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.).
“But tonight, when 23 Republicans said ‘no’ to Rep. Greene’s bigotry, I saw this situation a little differently. I want to thank them for doing the right thing. And I’m going to hold back on the vote for now. Vermonters and people across the country need us to get to work and focus on the urgent needs facing working people here at home and around the world.”