House Delegation Members Sound Off on Trump Tweet Condemnation

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to condemn President Trump’s “go back where you came from” Tweet toward four liberal Congresswomen. House Resolution 489 was approved Tuesday evening by a vote of 240-187.

The four Republican Congressmen voted against the measure. Congresswoman Kendra Horn voted for the resolution.

You’ll find the statements from three of the five House members of the Oklahoma Delegation below.

Congressman Frank Lucas: Voted Against

“Twice this past year, I have voted for resolutions in the hope to restore civil discourse and raise the bar of civility on the House Floor. But today, House Democrats voted to overturn House rules, so the Speaker could engage in personality attacks against the President. The use of hateful and insidious rhetoric has become incredibly routine, demeaning the values we’ve set for ourselves as a society.

“I refuse to be a part of an exercise that completely rejects civility in order to score political points. Tonight, I voted against the continuation of such offensive political practices. I believe it’s time that Congress deliver on its promises to the American people and rise above this harmful political rhetoric.”

(Note: Lucas is referring to House Resolution 41 which rejected white nationalism and white supremacy and House Resolution 183 which condemned anti-Semitism after Congresswoman Ilhan Omar Tweeted anti-Semitic statements in February.)

Congressman Tom Cole: Voted Against

“While it is certainly appropriate to be critical of what the president said about four fellow Americans and members of Congress, the political exercise pushed by House Democrats in response is a political double standard,” said Cole. “For anyone who follows debate on the House floor each week, it is known that many Democrats regularly speak in an equally offensive manner toward the president. In fact, Democratic members are frequently admonished by the presiding speaker for violating House rules. This type of political rhetoric needs to stop.

“Unfortunately, H. Res. 489 singles out and condemns the president but ignores the shameful rhetoric on the other side. This is unfair, inappropriate and inconsistent. Just last week, the same people calling President Trump a ‘racist’ were calling Speaker Pelosi a ‘racist.’ Both claims are wrong.

“In the days ahead, I will continue to voice my views forcefully and clearly, but I will neither participate in nor support efforts that use the tools of the House as a one-sided weapon to punish the president while ignoring the reckless rhetoric of so many of his Democratic critics.”

Congresswoman Kendra Horn: Voted For

“Growing up, my parents taught me the importance of the golden rule. Of treating everyone, no matter who they are, with dignity and respect. That’s what today’s vote was about. I’m troubled on many levels by the tone and tenor of our discourse. And I’m troubled by the remarks of the President, which are below the dignity of the office he holds. As representatives of a diverse nation and communities, this toxic back and forth prevents us from making progress on many critical issues facing our communities. It’s time we hold each other to a higher standard and continue our important work.”