[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 153 (Thursday, September 18, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E876]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             ISSUES WITH H. RES. 713, CENSURE OF REP. OMAR

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                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 18, 2025

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I strongly object to this censure 
resolution which does not include a single quote from Representative 
Ilhan Omar (MN-05) and seeks to punish her for comments she never made. 
After the unconscionable act of gun violence that took the life of 
Charlie Kirk, Representative Omar clearly and immediately condemned 
this assassination. She expressed her profound shock, sadness, grief 
about this despicable act of political violence. She expressed sympathy 
and empathy for Mr. Kirk's wife and young daughters who are enduring 
unimaginable pain and sorrow.
  Sadly, Republicans are misleading Americans and deliberately using 
this resolution to further divide Democrats and Republicans at a time 
when all Americans need to come together to condemn acts of political 
violence, which are becoming all too commonplace in our Nation.
  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.
  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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