House Resolution 183

March 19, 2019

Dear Friends—There is a fight brewing in the House of Representatives, and it is not between Republicans and Democrats.

Just last week, House Democrats were at odds with one another over calling out blatant anti-Semitism in their ranks. It exposed the blaring hypocrisy they have over how such an important issue is treated.

Washington can be as much of a rodeo as anything at the Stockyards; Just ask Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and her fellow Democrats as they try to hold on.

I want to discuss the legislation, what it meant, and the clear and stark differences with how we have handled the approach on each side of the aisle.

Here is a little more information about what happened:

  • H.Res. 183 was introduced by Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD-8) as a response to anti-Semitic statements made by a member of his party.
  • Democrats delayed the vote and watered down the resolution as to not offend their progressive base.
  • After the weakened resolution passed, Speaker Pelosi told reporters: “I do not believe she understood the full weight of the words.” This statement was in reference to the comments made by a member, who had already espoused anti-Semitic statements earlier this year.

When our party was confronted with a similar situation, we stripped the offending member of his committee assignments. To date, the offending member on the other side of the aisle still holds on to her committee assignments; she has hardly been rebuked by party leadership.

I am proud to be the co-chair of the Bipartisan Taskforce for Combating Anti-Semitism with my good friend Nita Lowey (D-NY).

I will continue to advocate for solutions nationally and internationally to decrease the rising threat of anti-Semitism.

It is the right thing to do.
 

Sincerely,

Kay Granger

Member of Congress