Trying to pass laws to defend protesters’ rights is a lonely battle on Capitol Hill.

Seventy-five House Democrats voted on Monday in support of a resolution that praised President Donald Trump’s deportation regime.

The vote came as Trump deployed more than 1,700 National Guard members and 700 Marines to Los Angeles to crush protests against increased U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and mass arrests.

Sponsored by Rep. Gabe Evans, R-Colo., a pro-Israel Republican, the bulk of the resolution was dedicated to condemning the attack last month in Boulder, Colorado, against pro-Israel demonstrators calling for the release of hostages in Israel. Tucked into the text was a line praising ICE, expressing “gratitude to law enforcement officers, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel, for protecting the homeland.”

While some Democrats are busy joining Republican colleagues to praise ICE, Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., is seeking to pass a law that holds police accountable for violence against protesters. Her bill, introduced in late May, would apply penalties to law enforcement for using force in response to a demonstration.

  • lmmarsano@lemmynsfw.comEnglish
    173·
    4 days ago

    That title & summary

    Seventy-five House Democrats voted on Monday in support of a resolution that praised President Donald Trump’s deportation regime.

    is somewhat misleading.

    The resolution text with title

    H.Res.488 - Denouncing the antisemitic terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado.

    mostly condemns Soliman for the attack in Colorado, notes he was visiting on a travel visa, and resolves

    Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

    1. condemns Mohammed Sabry Soliman and his antisemitic terrorist attack on peaceful demonstrators supporting the release of the hostages held by Hamas;
    2. affirms that free and open communication between State and local law enforcement and their Federal counterparts remains the bedrock of public safety and is necessary in preventing terrorist attacks; and
    3. expresses gratitude to law enforcement officers, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel, for protecting the homeland.

    It’s fairly tame & not exactly “praise” for “President Donald Trump’s deportation regime”.

    I’m sure it’s possible to “express gratitude” while also cracking down on abuses. The resolution seems rather hollow & dumb.

    • limer@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
      12·
      4 days ago

      Compared to the thunderous absence of other resolutions that should criticize the attacks against other types of protesters; and in context of the mass roundups and indefinite detentions.

      It’s really hard to not feel contempt to those who voted for this milquetoast do-nothing junk

    • IndustryStandard@lemmy.worldOP
      9·
      4 days ago

      Sounds like the Democrats had a good excuse to vote against a bill which conflates Zionism and Judaism because it praised ICE. And they still did not.