Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Monday, U.S. Representatives Mike Waltz (FL-6), Jim Banks (IN-3), and Claudia Tenney (NY-22) will introduce a censure resolution condemning and censuring U.S. Representatives Ilhan Omar (MN-5), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), and Ayanna Pressley (MA-7) for defending foreign terrorist organizations and using rhetoric which contributed to anti-Semitic attacks across the United States.

“We cannot turn a blind eye to Members of Congress openly defending terrorist attacks by Hamas against our close ally Israel nor their dangerous rhetoric which has contributed to anti-Semitic attacks across the country,” said Rep. Waltz. “I’ve seen firsthand gross atrocities against women and ethnic minorities at the hands of the Taliban. I’ve personally been fired upon by terrorists hiding behind women and children and seen the Taliban place suicide vests on teenagers. For members of the U.S. Congress to make equivalencies to Israel and the American military, which puts its own soldiers at risk to avoid civilian casualties, is ignorant of the facts, shameful, and should be condemned in the strongest terms.”

“Reps. Omar, Talib, Pressley and Cortez have repeatedly denigrated America and our closest ally. Democrat leadership finally responded to their unhinged comments last week—with a press release,” said Rep. Banks. “Actions speak louder than squishy words. Speaker Pelosi can let members vote on our resolution, or she can cover for the Hamas Caucus and their anti-Israel and anti-American rhetoric. We’ll see.”

“Last week, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar compared the United States and Israel to Hamas and the Taliban,” said Rep. Tenney. “Sadly, this is not out of character for ‘The Squad,’ who have made a habit of trafficking in anti-Semitic rhetoric.  Their actions have been completely unchecked by Democratic leadership in the House, even as vile attacks against Jewish Americans are rising. Enough is enough. Anti-Semitism has no place in Congress or the Democratic Party. Speaker Pelosi won’t stand up and take action, which is why I’m honored to do so today alongside Congressmen Waltz and Banks.  We are sending a clear message that this type of rhetoric is unacceptable.”

In 1997, the Department of State designated Hamas a terrorist organization and the group continues to purposefully target Israeli civilians while launching attacks from schools, hospitals, and playgrounds. Hamas purposefully uses civilian launch sites to bait Israeli Defense Forces to defend itself by targeting these sites in hopes of inflicting Palestinian civilian casualties. Despite this fact, Representatives Omar, Ocasio-Cortez, Tlaib, and Pressley continually lie to the world in attempting to equate Israel’s right to defend itself with the attacks coming from Hamas.

Click here for the resolution in full and fact sheet detailing examples.

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