Posted July 17, 2019 | by KimS | in DemDaily, Resource, Trump Administration

DemDaily: Rebuking Racism

July 17, 2019

They should go back to "the crime infested" countries from which they came. All four are US citizens.

Congresswomen Ayanna Pressley (MA-7), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) and Rashida Tlaib (MI-13) were born in this country.

"The Squad," which President Donald Trump viciously and prejudiciously attacked on twitter Sunday, also includes Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. A Somali-born refugee who immigrated to the United States at age twelve after having spent part of her life in a Kenyan refugee camp, Omar is an example of what used to be known as the American Dream.

In a Monday afternoon press conference, the four female lawmakers responded to Trump's tweets, seemingly provoked by their stance on immigration. Pressley denounced the comments as a "disruptive distraction" from a "callous, chaotic and corrupt" administration.

Tlaib, who, along with Omar, are the only Muslim women in the House, called Trump's tweets a continuation of his "racist, xenophobic playbook" and advocated for impeachment of the president.

"The Squad" -- Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib, Ayanna Pressley, Ilhan Omar and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Brendan Smialowski/Getty)

Yesterday, the US House of Representatives voted 240-187 to formally condemn Trump's use of "racist comments that have legitimized and increased fear and hatred of new Americans and people of color."

Four Republicans, Will Hurd (TX-23), Susan Brooks (IN-5), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) and Fred Upton (MI-6) joined the Democrats, along with Republican-turned-Independent, Justin Amash (MI-3).

The vote came after a separate, but equally dramatic debate led by Republicans, to have a statement made by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in a floor speech stricken from the record. Pelosi called Trump's tweets "disgraceful and disgusting and the comments were racist."

While the contentious day ended with the first formal rebuke of a sitting President in over 100 years, the action itself is non-binding and carries no penalties.

Last night Congressman Al Green (TX-9), saying "enough is enough," filed articles of impeachment against Trump, forcing a vote tonight on the resolution.

Under House rules, a single member of the House can force an impeachment vote.

Speaker Pelosi and Democratic leadership have opposed a vote until after the multiple investigations against President Trump are completed. The House may vote to proceed with impeachment, send the resolution to the House Judiciary Committee or table it.

In the interim, the country also awaits the outcome of the nationwide series of deportation raids of undocumented immigrants ordered by President Trump last weekend.

DemList will keep you informed.

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