House vote to condemn Rashida Tlaib, kick out Rep. George Santos fails

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
2 Nov 2023 10:04
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Tlaib declined to apologize for her statement the previous day in which she held "Israel" responsible for the airstrike on a hospital in Gaza, an assertion that garnered strong criticism from Republicans.

US Representative Rashida Tlaib, Democrat of Michigan (AFP)

On Wednesday, a bipartisan 222-186 vote was defeated for a resolution to condemn congresswoman Rashida Tlaib after participating in a rally for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene was the individual who introduced the resolution on October 26, accusing Tlaib of "antisemitic activity, sympathizing with terrorist organizations, and leading an insurrection at the US Capitol Complex".

In her statement, Tlaib called the resolution "deeply Islamophobic", adding: "I will continue to work for a just and lasting peace that upholds the human rights and dignity of all people, and ensures that no person, no child has to suffer or live in fear of violence."

She declined to apologize for her statement the previous day in which she held "Israel" responsible for the airstrike on a hospital in Gaza, an assertion that garnered strong criticism from Republicans.

Tlaib, among thousands of demonstrators demanding a Gaza ceasefire, participated in a solidarity rally organized by the progressive group Jewish Voice for Peace at the National Mall. During her impassioned speech, she displayed visible emotions, occasionally halting her address to openly express her sorrow and to criticize lawmakers who have not supported a ceasefire resolution.

Tlaib also criticized President Joe Biden for his backing of "Israel" in its ongoing aggression on Gaza.

"To my president, to our president ... I want him to know, as a Palestinian American and somebody in Muslim faith, I'm not going to forget this. And I think a lot of people are not going to forget this," Tlaib said.

Another vote, another shutdown

The same day witnessed a failed vote to kick out New York Republican lawmaker George Santos from the US House of Representatives when less than two-thirds of the chamber supported it, maintaining Republicans’ narrow 221-212 majority.

The representative pleaded not guilty to a 23-count federal indictment for laundering funds to pay for his personal expenses, illegally receiving unemployment benefits, charging donors’ credit cards without consent or permission, claiming a false $500,000 campaign loan, and lying to the House about his assets and properties.

If it did pass, Santos would have been the sixth to be expelled from the House in American history, as three of the five who have been voted out were for fighting against the US in the Civil War.

Santos, who represents a portion of Long Island, has been the subject of intense scrutiny following revelations that he fabricated parts of his biography and questions about his finances. The New York Republican has admitted to falsifying his resume but insists on remaining in Congress, claiming that his constituents sent him to Washington to serve.

New York lawmakers last month stated their intent to introduce a resolution to expel Santos, but it was delayed after former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted.

Last week, Mike Johnson, who did not vote to expel Santos, was elected to succeed McCarthy as Speaker of the House.

Santos' trial is scheduled to take place on September 9, 2024, ahead of the elections that would determine control of the White House and both congressional chambers.

The investigative subcommittee for the trial has already contacted 40 witnesses, looked over more than 170,000 pages of documents, and authorized 37 subpoenas, while the ethics panel claimed its intention to announce its next steps by this month, November 17.