Congresswoman Lee Statement on Vote to Censure Congresswoman Tlaib

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) released the following statement after voting to censure Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib:

“Let me be clear: this is an incredibly delicate situation. There are lives at stake. The emotions on every side are real, charged, and deeply personal. As an elected representative of constituents of Jewish and Muslim faith, many with family members and loved ones on the ground in Israel and Gaza, I take my responsibility extremely seriously. This is one of the most stressful times I have faced in my time in Congress. 

“That being said, now is not the time to fuel disinformation and words of violence. 

“Members of Congress hold heightened responsibility to present the public with the truth, especially when disinformation can fuel further violence and instability at home and across the globe. My colleague chose to ignore U.S. intelligence about the explosion at Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital, continued to dangerously disinform the public, and refused to correct the record. 

“‘From the River to the Sea’ are words taken straight from Hamas and their rallying cry for the destruction of the State of Israel and the Jewish people. It’s not a phrase that advances prospects of peace for Israelis or Palestinians. 

“As members of Congress, regardless of party, our words have consequences, and we have a responsibility to not fan the flames of hate. We are in the midst of an increasingly tense moment, and American Jews and Muslims are facing an appalling rise in antisemitism and islamophobia. I will continue to do everything in my power to uphold and protect every Nevadan’s right to practice their faiths in peace and to live their lives without fear of violent acts of hate.” 

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