Congressman Carson Speaks on Censure of Rep. Rashida Tlaib
I rise to speak against the censure of Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib.
Since October 7th, we’ve mourned the deaths of precious Jewish families. We’ve condemned Hamas’ terrorist attacks. We’ve condemned the rise in antisemitic violence here at home and across the globe.
But when someone who is American, Muslim, a woman, and Palestinian dares to speak out for her people, she is told to be quiet. Stop talking about our Palestinian brothers and sisters in the same breath as our Jewish brothers and sisters. Stop saying ALL humanity is equal, precious, and worth saving. Stop speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves because their voices are trapped under the rubble.
As Muslims in Congress, we’ve been called terrorists. Anti American. Despicable. Soulless. These personal attacks are painful. Speaking up for fairness is not anti-American.
Those who speak for Palestinian lives are told we are not enough. Congresswoman Tlaib is not American enough. The oldest of 14 children born to immigrant parents, in the heartland of our country, who broke all barriers to get to the halls of Congress -- when this story is not American enough, it’s time to question what you really think America should be.
My sister Rashida is a child of the Midwest, representing the best heart of Midwestern sensibilities and compassion. She also exemplifies the rich traditions and history of the Muslim faith in the Midwest. She is leading a bold, growing movement for fairness.
Standing up for one oppressed people does not negate the oppression of another. Pain and suffering is pain and suffering - for whoever endures it. We should be working together to end this terrible suffering. We need a ceasefire now. Every child is precious. We rightly mourn the deaths of Israeli lives. Today, more than 10,000 Palestinians have been killed, almost half of them children.
There’s nothing more American than the right to speak up. Our Founding Fathers fought for the right to freedom of speech and the right to public assembly. Rashida Tlaib will not be silenced by those who attempt to intimidate with bogus censure resolutions.
The hypocrisy is staggering. This resolution is filled with despicable lies against peaceful protesters, who were called terrorists for practicing the principles of their faith for justice and peace. The inconvenience of closed hallways or elevators, described in this sham resolution, can never compare to the lives lost, hundreds injured and the $2.7 billion dollars in damage to our Symbol of Democracy during a real insurrection on January 6th.
I urge my colleagues to do the right thing and vote against this trumped-up resolution.
Thank you, and I yield back.