Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) was censured by the House of Representatives 234-188 for her comments regarding the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. This was a significant vote. The second formal attempt to address Tlaib’s remarks is the censure resolution, which charges her with “promoting false narratives regarding the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and for calling for the destruction of the state of Israel.”

22 Democrats voted in favor of the bill, joining Republicans in denouncing Tlaib for her divisive remarks. The only American-Palestinian member of Congress, Tlaib, has faced criticism for airing her opinions on the conflict, a claim she has defended with the First Amendment.

As the Speaker reads the measure’s language, Tlaib is called to the House floor for the censure, which is primarily symbolic. Most Democrats think that censure is not the proper answer, despite the fact that both parties have criticized her remarks.

A social media post on X (formerly Twitter) that Tlaib published with a video of a Palestinian slogan that has been called antisemitic is one of the remarks that is being investigated. “When you can call for the annihilation of a country and its people, if that isn’t censure — what is?” asked Rep. McCormick, the representative who sponsored the censure motion.

Tlaib defended herself on the House floor in response to claims that she posted a slogan endorsing violence against Israel. She asserted that she was in favor of a cease-fire and highlighted that all Palestinians, including her grandmother, should have independence and human dignity.

Recall that the House had previously voted down a previous attempt at a censure bill introduced by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.). Voting against it were twenty-three Republican colleagues who took issue with Greene’s wording, accusing Tlaib of being the leader of an insurrection. McCormick’s resolution avoided using these particular words and managed to garner support for the censure from both parties.