On the recordNovember 17, 2021
Like Representative Ocasio-Cortez, I, too, have served in this House for 3 years, and I have found the dignity and respect that we deserve and owe one another in this Chamber has been severely lacking. While my Democratic colleagues and I continue to work on critical legislation that improves the lives of Americans, Mr. Gosar, a Member of the Republican Conference, has decided to focus on promoting xenophobia and fetishizing violence, fanning the flames of hate. Words have power. My community knows that only too well. And the example we set as Members of Congress is followed by millions of Americans. Mr. Gosar's actions continue to lower the bar, obliterate standards for respect and civility, and make this workplace unsafe by targeting a colleague--a woman of color. I would like to note that women of color are frequent targets of hateful rhetoric and attacks like these. In any other environment, someone like Mr. Gosar would have immediately faced termination, would have to live with the consequences of his dangerous actions and words, but not in the Republican Conference. Mr. Gosar's video, which glorifies the gruesome killing of our colleague and a violent attack against our President should have sparked immediate condemnation and action by the minority leader and his entire conference. But instead, we are told to relax, and we are threatened, told that if we dare take action, we will face retaliation. The SPEAKER pro tempore.…
