The House of Representatives reportedly witnessed a major display of partisan division on Monday after more than 100 Democrats cast dissenting votes against a Republican-led resolution that condemned an antisemitic firebombing during a peaceful pro-Israel march in Boulder, Colorado.
Introduced by Representative Gabe Evans of Colorado, the resolution passed 280–113. All Republican members supported the measure, joined by 75 Democrats.
However, 113 Democrats rejected it, citing concerns that its language politicized antisemitism by linking the attack to immigration policy and extolling federal enforcement agencies, particularly Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“It’s not a serious effort,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, speaking before the vote. “It weaponizes antisemitism for partisan purposes.”
Representative Dan Goldman, a Jewish Democrat from New York, echoed this sentiment, describing the resolution as a cynical political tool. “We Jews are sick and tired of being used as pawns,” he declared on the House floor.
The controversy centers on a June 1 attack during a solidarity walk in Boulder held to support hostages taken in the October 2023 Hamas assault on Israel.
The assailant, an Egyptian national who had overstayed his visa, hurled Molotov cocktails and used a makeshift flamethrower against participants.
He allegedly shouted “Free Palestine” and wounded at least 15 people. The resolution referred to him as an “antisemitic terrorist” and warned of vulnerabilities posed by illegal immigration, while praising ICE for its role in protecting the homeland.
Representative Evans, a former police officer and Army veteran, defended the measure, emphasizing the importance of federal and local law enforcement cooperation in preventing similar attacks. “Condemning terrorism is not a joking matter,” he said, calling the Democratic objections “wildly offensive.”
The Republican National Congressional Committee seized on the opposition, accusing Democrats of siding with terrorists over law enforcement and denouncing their votes as emblematic of an “anti-cop, antisemitic caucus.”
In a notable bipartisan gesture, the House also passed a separate, more inclusive resolution offered by Representatives Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) and Joe Neguse (D-Colo.).
This measure, which condemned antisemitic violence broadly without referencing immigration or praising ICE, passed unanimously in a 400–0 voice vote, highlighting that lawmakers could unite when the issue remained unencumbered by partisan framing.
The split reflects deeper tensions in confronting acts of hate in today’s polarized environment. Many Democrats expressed concern that tying the attack to immigration undermines the core message of solidarity with victims of antisemitic violence.
Meanwhile, Republicans argue unequivocal recognition of the immigration link and federal enforcement support is a necessary element in preventing future incidents.
As political battles in the House continue over how best to condemn hate while navigating broader policy debates, Monday’s vote underscores the significant ideological fault lines within Congress—even on measures addressing unequivocal acts of violence.
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