WASHINGTON (Michigan News Source) – While 22 Democrats from other states voted in the U.S. House on Tuesday night to censure Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) for antisemitic and jihadist rhetoric, the same could not be said for Michigan Democrats in Congress.

Seven of Michigan’s thirteen Congressional districts are represented by Democrats. They are Rep. Hillary Scholten (MI-03), Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Rep. Elissa Slotkin (MI-07), Rep. Dan Kildee (MI-08), Rep. Haley Stevens (MI-09), Rep. Tlaib, and Rep. Shri Thanedar (MI-13).

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Rep. Slotkin, who is running for U.S. Senate, clarified why she voted against the censure. “At the end of the day, we all have the right to freedom of speech.”

 

Colleagues Rep. Kildee and Rep. Scholten issued similar sentiments. Kildee stated in a press release, “I disagree with Congresswoman Tlaib’s recent comments. Divisive rhetoric hurts our ability to bring urgently needed humanitarian relief to the Palestinian people and peace to the Middle East.” Kildee went on to say, “It is inappropriate to censure a Member of Congress every time they make an outrageous statement. While I may not like what some Members of Congress say, they have the right to freedom of speech.”

Meanwhile, Rep. Scholten issued a statement prior to the censure vote, saying “Just as my colleagues facing censure have a right to express their views, I have a right to express mine, and I have—condemning anti-Semitism and Islamophobia alike when they rear their heads in our community and in Congress. Despite my strong disagreement with both of my colleagues’ statements, that is not a reason for censure,” Scholten said.

Representatives Thanedar and Stevens have paid lip service to the Israel-Hamas crisis, with Thanedar calling for a 72-hour humanitarian pause.

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Rep. Haley Stevens called for the release of the 200 hostages Hamas terrorists are holding.

 

Rep. Debbie Dingell spoke on the House floor with Tlaib sitting behind her. Dingell said she spent time in Michigan over the weekend and when she referred to Tlaib’s “from river to the sea” comment, Dingell said people interpret words in different ways.

 

Tlaib’s censure is primarily ceremonial. She called on President Biden to issue a ceasefire.