For the first time in more than a decade, the House will vote tomorrow to censure one of its own. GOP Rep. Paul Gosar not only faces censure but being stripped of a committee assignments after he posted an altered anime video depicting him killing Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and attacking President Biden. CNN writes:
Gosar, who later took down the video after facing criticism but did not apologize, sits on the Oversight Committee alongside Ocasio-Cortez. He also sits on the House Committee on Natural Resources. A censure resolution is the most severe form of punishment in the House, and requires the censured member to stand in the well of the House while the resolution is read out loud. The last lawmaker to be censured was then-Rep. Charlie Rangel, a New York Democrat, for multiple ethics violations back in 2010.
“Threatening the life of a colleague is grounds for expulsion. But given the Republican Party — especially the leader — is too cowardly to really enforce any standard of conduct … censure and committee removal is the next most appropriate step.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.)
Politico adds:
The swift action from Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her leadership team comes after Gosar was criticized by both Democrats and some Republicans for his violent anime-style video. Gosar later deleted the tweet containing the video and issued a tepid statement that explained his rationale but did not apologize. That explanation followed a call from House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.
But House Democrats returned from recess this week demanding further action against the far-right Republican. Democratic leaders publicly called on McCarthy to take action on his own — including pulling Gosar off of his committees — but moved ahead with the censure resolution when it became apparent that wouldn’t happen. A spokesperson for McCarthy says the GOP leader opposes efforts by Democrats to punish Gosar.
Will any Republicans vote for censure? Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger may be the only yes votes from the GOP.