[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 187 (Monday, November 13, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1090]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      OPPOSING H. RES. 845 CENSURING REPRESENTATIVE RASHIDA TLAIB

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                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 13, 2023

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I strongly object to this censure 
resolution that seeks to punish Representative Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), 
who is the only Palestinian American Member of Congress, for using her 
Constitutionally protected right to free speech. Representative Tlaib 
was elected by her constituents to represent them in the U.S. House, 
and her voice and perspective are unique and valuable to our national 
debate.
  Members of Congress have the right to express their viewpoints and 
represent their constituents. Our constituents will hold us accountable 
for the job we do. What makes democracies like ours unique is that they 
allow free speech even when it is offensive, false, or shocking. I do 
not agree with everything that Congresswoman Tlaib has said, just as I 
do not agree with anything Congressman Brian Mast (FL-21) said in his 
remarks on the House Floor on November 1, 2023. Their First Amendment 
rights to free speech are still protected.
  Censure is a serious tool that should be reserved for holding Members 
of Congress accountable for unethical or criminal behavior, like 
committing assault or accepting bribes, or for specific categories of 
speech that are not protected by the First Amendment, including direct 
threats against individuals, inciting treason or insurrection, or the 
use of aggressively insulting ``fighting words'' against another Member 
on the House Floor.
  Protecting speech is the only way to ensure debate among diverse 
viewpoints that is an essential ingredient in every true democracy. As 
my colleague and constitutional scholar Representative Jamie Raskin 
rightly pointed out, we are at a moment when democracy is under attack 
around the world, and that makes it even more vital that we remain 
vigilant about protecting free speech rights here at home.
  Mr Speaker, I voted against this censure, and will continue to defend 
our right to free speech to represent our constituents and voice our 
conscience as Representatives in this great democracy.

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