House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer urged other lawmakers to vote “yes” on the resolution to censure GOP Rep. Paul Gosar, saying that it is not about partisan politics, it is about “decency” and “security for our members.”
Hoyer argued this vote was about the “rule of law” and “no one, Democrat or Republican ought to be involved to engage in the promotion of violence against a fellow member or indeed a fellow American.”
“We know where the glorification and promotion of violence leads, we have seen it this year, previous years, piercing tweets become sharp knives. Fiery words bring out deadly firearms and cartoon killing begets real life bloodshed,” the House majority leader said during remarks on the floor.
His comments came after some Republican lawmakers accused Democrats of holding double standards and not responding to members of their own party the same way.
“I’m certain my fellow Democrats will do the same because this is not about party. It’s not about politics. It’s not about partisanship. It’s about decorum, civility, safety, and yes, the rule of law,” Hoyer said.
Hoyer also argued that as elected officials, lawmakers “speak for the American people.” This means their actions must reflect “the highest standards of American society.”
“It is disgusting, madame speaker, whenever someone out in the world tweets a threat of violence or hateful content, but when a member of the house does so – no matter how you rationalize it, no matter how you try to put lipstick on that pig – it is a threat of violence,” Hoyer said. “What Representative Gosar did last week is not just worthy of censure, it demands it.”
“I urge my colleagues to vote yes on both sides of the aisle. To uphold a standard that should be critical to us all,” Hoyer said in closing.
