No Vote on H Res 713, Censure of Rep. Omar

Mr. Speaker, I strongly object to this censure resolution which does not include a single quote from Representative Ilhan Omar (MN-05) and seeks to punish her for comments she never said.  After the unconscionable act of gun violence that took the life of Charlie Kirk, Representative Omar clearly and immediately condemned this assassination. She expressed her profound shock, sadness, grief about this despicable act of political violence. She expressed sympathy and empathy for Mr. Kirk’s wife and young daughters who are enduring unimaginable pain and sorrow.

Sadly, Republicans are misleading Americans and deliberately using this resolution to further divide Democrats and Republicans at a time when all Americans need to come together to condemn acts of political violence, which are becoming all too commonplace in our nation.

Censure is a serious tool that should be reserved for holding Members of Congress accountable for unethical or criminal behavior, like committing assault or accepting bribes, or for specific categories of speech that are not protected by the First Amendment, including direct threats against individuals, inciting treason or insurrection, or the use of aggressively insulting “fighting words” against another Member on the House Floor.

Mr. Speaker, I voted against this censure and will continue to defend our right to free speech to represent our constituents and voice our conscience as Representatives in this great democracy.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back.