Walberg Votes to Advance Censure of Rep. Tlaib After Video Posted

Washington, D.C. -- Today, Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-05) voted to advance H.Res. 845, a resolution to censure Rep. Tlaib after she posted a video using a phrase widely known as a genocidal call to arms. The motion to table the resolution failed, and the adoption of the resolution will be considered tomorrow.  

Rep. Tim Walberg released the following statement after the vote:

"Before Rep. Tlaib posted the video, I defended her constitutional right to free speech, even as I viewed that speech as abhorrent and dishonest, but her video calls for violence. Despite her claim, this phrase is not an aspirational call for peaceful coexistence, especially as it was shown shortly after another slogan, “no peace on stolen land.” While I will continue to defend First Amendment liberties for those I disagree with, I will not support the right to call for a violent genocide.

This call to arms featured in her video was overlaid with protests occurring in Michigan, including a rally on October 10 in Dearborn, which was held in the immediate aftermath of the attack. I called on all Michigan leaders to condemn the calls for genocide from the rally. Sadly, this call was met by silence from others. Now that this rally is again being shown nationally and staining Michigan's reputation, I renew my calls on all Michigan leaders, starting with Governor Whitmer, to condemn the genocidal and anti-Semitic language from that rally. Governor Whitmer needs to send a simple and unequivocal message: anti-Semitism and genocide are not reflective of Michigan values."