CongressGeneral NewsHamasIsrael governmentIsrael-Hamas warMarjorie Taylor GreenePalestinian territories governmentPoliticsRashida TlaibUnited StatesUnited States governmentUnited States House of RepresentativesWar and unrest House Declines Censure Motion Against Rashida Tlaib Over Remarks on Israel by Joshua Brown November 2, 2023 written by Joshua Brown November 2, 2023 7 comments Bookmark 20 Late on Wednesday, the House dismissed an initiative to censure Democrat Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, thwarting a Republican-driven move to reprimand the sole Palestinian-American Congress member for her statements concerning the Israel-Hamas conflict. The proposal to proceed with a censure motion against Tlaib, a disciplinary action just shy of expulsion from the House, was broadly rejected with bipartisan consensus, as members from both sides voiced apprehension over potential infringements on First Amendment rights. Subsequently, Democrats decided against a countermove to censure Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., who had spearheaded the resolution against Tlaib. These proposed votes emerged as some of the primary items on the House’s agenda after a nearly month-long deadlock, which resulted from the ousting of Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California from his role as speaker. The increasing frequency of punitive actions in the House signals a deepening partisan divide. Historically, such severe measures were reserved for extreme violations and were seldom exercised. But their present-day usage reflects a more regular and often partisan approach. While a censure carries no tangible consequences, it historically tarnishes the reputation of the recipient. Last week, Greene tabled a resolution to censure Tlaib, one of Congress’s two Muslim members. The document accused Tlaib of “antisemitic activities” subsequent to her expressing reservations about the U.S.’s role in arming Israel amidst its clash with Hamas, following a sudden attack by Hamas on October 7. Moreover, Greene incorrectly alleged that Tlaib had “led an insurrection” at the Capitol while attending a pro-Gaza demonstration coordinated by Jewish pro-peace groups. Tlaib characterized Greene’s motion as “irrational,” claiming it bore strong Islamophobic undertones and wrongfully targeted peace-seeking Jewish anti-war proponents. In reaction to Greene’s motion, House Democrats, under the guidance of Rep. Becca Balint of Vermont, put forth a resolution censuring Greene for her history of racially charged comments and propagation of conspiracy theories. Balint contended that Greene’s bid to censure Tlaib was a blatant Islamophobic assault on Congress’s only Palestinian-American representative. While Greene remained silent on the motion to censure her, she did reproach the multitude of Republicans who opposed advancing the Tlaib resolution. The Wednesday evening vote marked the House’s resumption of routine legislative proceedings after a hiatus due to McCarthy’s unexpected removal on October 4. This interruption halted floor-based legislative tasks as Republicans grappled over his potential successor. With Speaker Mike Johnson now presiding over the House, having been elected to the pivotal position the previous week, he is confronted with the recurring challenge that plagued McCarthy: managing events on the House floor. Both censure motions were designated as “privileged,” allowing legislators to circumvent both leadership and committees to mandate House votes. The use of such privileged resolutions is becoming more common among representatives. In a related matter, New York Republicans are preparing to initiate a distinct vote to decide on the expulsion of Rep. George Santos, who, despite facing multiple federal charges and maintaining his innocence, remains under indictment. Had the motions been successful, both Greene and Tlaib would have been inducted into an expanding list of censured representatives in recent decades. In the past, punitive actions have targeted members such as Democrat Adam Schiff of California, who was censured by Republicans in June for remarks about investigations into former President Donald Trump’s alleged affiliations with Russia. Similarly, in a Democrat-led House, Republican Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona faced censure in 2021 for a controversial animated video, and in 2010, Democratic Rep. Charlie Rangel of New York was reprimanded for serious financial and electoral violations. It’s worth noting that the House has also been proactive in sanctioning members by removing them from committee roles. For instance, earlier this year, the House deprived Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, the other Muslim Congress member, of her position on the Foreign Affairs Committee due to comments she made about Israel. Similarly, in 2021, Democrats oversaw the removal of all committee assignments from Greene, citing her endorsement of harmful and violent conspiracy narratives. Table of Contents Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword: censureWhat was the central issue leading to the proposed censure of Rashida Tlaib?Who initiated the censure motion against Rashida Tlaib?Was the censure motion against Rashida Tlaib successful?Why did some House members oppose the censure motion against Tlaib?Did the Democrats propose any counter censure motion?Why was Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy removed as speaker?Who took over as the Speaker of the House after Kevin McCarthy’s removal?What are “privileged” resolutions in the context of the House?Have there been other instances of censure in the House in recent years?How has the House penalized members beyond censure in recent times?More about fokus keyword: censure Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword: censure What was the central issue leading to the proposed censure of Rashida Tlaib? The central issue was related to Democratic Rashida Tlaib’s remarks concerning the Israel-Hamas conflict. Who initiated the censure motion against Rashida Tlaib? The censure motion against Rashida Tlaib was initiated by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga. Was the censure motion against Rashida Tlaib successful? No, the motion to proceed with the censure against Rashida Tlaib was broadly rejected with bipartisan consensus in the House. Why did some House members oppose the censure motion against Tlaib? Members from both parties voiced apprehension over potential infringements on First Amendment rights as a reason for opposing the censure motion. Did the Democrats propose any counter censure motion? Yes, in response to Greene’s motion, House Democrats introduced a resolution censuring Marjorie Taylor Greene for her history of racially charged comments and conspiracy theories. Why was Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy removed as speaker? The text mentions the removal of Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy from his role as speaker but does not specify the exact reasons for his ouster. Who took over as the Speaker of the House after Kevin McCarthy’s removal? Speaker Mike Johnson took over the House after Kevin McCarthy’s removal. What are “privileged” resolutions in the context of the House? Privileged resolutions are a procedural tool allowing legislators to circumvent both leadership and committees to mandate votes in the House. Have there been other instances of censure in the House in recent years? Yes, in recent years, members such as Democrat Adam Schiff of California and Republican Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona faced censure for various reasons. How has the House penalized members beyond censure in recent times? The House has also been proactive in sanctioning members by removing them from their committee roles, as seen in the cases of Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar and Marjorie Taylor Greene. More about fokus keyword: censure [House Proceedings on Censure Motions] [Rashida Tlaib’s Statements on Israel-Hamas Conflict] [Background on Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Initiatives] [Details on Kevin McCarthy’s Removal as Speaker] [Profile on Speaker Mike Johnson] [Understanding “Privileged” Resolutions in Congress] [Historical Instances of House Censure Actions] [Committee Roles and Penalties in Congress] [Rep. Ilhan Omar’s Committee Assignment Removal] [Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Previous Controversies] You Might Be Interested In A Sacred Amazon Rainforest Ceremony in Endangered Territory Rep. 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He has a keen interest in social justice issues and is passionate about using his platform to give a voice to underrepresented communities. previous post Representative George Santos Remains in the House Despite Expulsion Attempt next post Speaker Mike Johnson signals that Ukraine aid, coupled with border security, is next on GOP agenda You may also like Bookmark A woman who burned Wyoming’s only full-service abortion... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Argument over Christmas gifts turns deadly as 14-year-old... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Danny Masterson sent to state prison to serve... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Hong Kong man jailed for 6 years after... December 28, 2023 Bookmark AP concludes at least hundreds died in floods... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Live updates | Israeli forces raid a West... December 28, 2023 7 comments Jake Williams November 2, 2023 - 11:29 am Honestly didn’t know this much was happening in the House these days. good read though, thanks for the detailed info. Reply Lizzy M November 2, 2023 - 12:36 pm who is mike johnson anyway? first time hearing his name. Also, what’s a privileged resolution? sounds fancy but complicated. Reply Nina Rodriguez November 2, 2023 - 6:05 pm Didn’t even hear about Kevin McCarthy’s removal. Been out of the loop I guess. thanks for the info. Reply Chris J. November 2, 2023 - 8:13 pm Tlaib and Greene have been in the news alot recently. Not sure who to believe sometimes. need to do my own research. Reply Alex Peterson November 2, 2023 - 10:39 pm the house seems to be in constant turmoil. this is what happens when people are more focused on their own agendas than the greater good. Reply Mia Thompson November 3, 2023 - 12:04 am wow, politics sure is messy sometimes. It’s hard to keep up with all the resolutions and counter resolutions. kinda feels like a soap opera. Reply Sammy K. November 3, 2023 - 1:53 am why’s there always so much tension in politics? can’t they all just get along for the sake of the country. 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