Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resolution to censure Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib passed a floor vote in Congress on Tuesday.
Greene originally introduced the measure two weeks ago, though the resolution failed as some Members of Congress disagreed with language in the Georgia representative’s resolution which claimed Tlaib engaged in “insurrection.” Greene reintroduced the measure earlier this week and replaced the term “insurrection” with “illegal occupation.”
The reintroduced resolution to censure Tlaib passed the House floor with a final vote of 234 to 188. Four Members voted “present.”
The U.S. House of Representatives has officially censured Democrat Rep. Rashida Tlaib "for promoting false narratives regarding the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and for calling for the destruction of the state of Israel" pic.twitter.com/9grQTKYnSL
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) November 8, 2023
The Michigan representative released a statement shortly after the House approved Greene’s resolution.
“It’s a shame my colleagues are more focused on silencing me than they are on saving lives, as the death toll in Gaza surpasses 10,000,” Tlaib wrote. “Many of them have shown me that Palestinian lives simply do not matter to them, but I still do not police their rhetoric or actions.”
She added: “Rather than acknowledge the voice and perspective of the only Palestinian American in Congress, my colleagues have resorted to distorting my positions in resolutions filled with obvious lies.”
Tlaib continued:
I have repeatedly denounced the horrific targeting and killing of civilians by Hamas and the Israeli government, and have mourned the Israeli and Palestinian lives lost. Meanwhile, each day that passes without a ceasefire brings more death and destruction upon innocent civilians, who have nowhere safe to go, drawing outrage and condemnation from the American people and the international community. A majority of Americans support a ceasefire, but this Congress isn’t listening to their voices.
“I will continue to call for a mutual ceasefire, for the release of hostages and those arbitrarily detained, for the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid, and for every American to be brought home,” the Michigan representative concluded. “I will continue to work for a just and lasting peace that upholds the human rights and dignity of all people, centers peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians, and ensures that no person, no child has to suffer or live in fear of violence.”
My statement on the efforts to silence me: pic.twitter.com/RRPRfEBrYz
— Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (@RepRashida) November 7, 2023
House Republican and fellow Michigan Rep. Elissa Slotkin, who voted against Greene’s measure, released a statement which detailed her decision.
“Tonight, I voted against censuring Rep. Rashida Tlaib,” wrote Slotkin. “Over the weekend, I made my concerns clear about the language she was promoting, and asked her to recant her statement.”
Slotkin emphasized the importance of freedom of speech.
“These tit-for-tat attempts to censure members need to stop,” she continued. “If we censured every member of Congress who said something offensive in this body, we’d never get another quorum.”
Tonight, I voted against censuring Rep. Rashida Tlaib. My full statement: pic.twitter.com/52LFat01Sb
— Rep. Elissa Slotkin (@RepSlotkin) November 8, 2023
“We have important problems to address, including a potential government shutdown next week,” Slotkin concluded. “I urge the new Speaker to focus on the real work ahead of us.”
