Democrats fume about "f***ed up" GOP measure denouncing Boulder attack

What would otherwise be an uncontroversial congressional vote to denounce the Boulder attack is devolving into a contentious partisan feud, Axios has learned.Why it matters: Language praising ICE and labeling "Free Palestine" an "antisemitic slogan" are sparking fury from some Democrats, who see the provisions as a GOP maneuver to force them into a difficult vote."It's sheer politics," said one senior House Democrat, speaking on the condition of anonymity to offer candid thoughts about a sensitive vote. A second senior House Democrat told Axios: "It's unfortunate that they're using a serious antisemitic terrorist attack as a wedge opportunity to divide Democrats. They knew what they were doing adding something like that in there.""Nice little catch to put Democrats on the board," vented a third House Democrat.State of play: At least 15 people and one dog were injured last week in Boulder, Colo., when a suspect allegedly yelled "Free Palestine" as he threw Molotov cocktails at demonstrators advocating the release of hostages held by Hamas.Rep. Gabe Evans (R-Colo.), along with his fellow Colorado Republicans, have introduced a three-page resolution denouncing the attack, which is scheduled to be voted on next week.The measure labels "Free Palestine" an "antisemitic slogan that calls for the destruction of the state of Israel and the Jewish people.""It's more than unfortunate," the second senior House Democrat said of that clause. "It's very f***ed up."Between the lines: A senior House progressive, asked by Axios whether some of the more pro-Palestinian House Democrats will have an issue with the language in the measure, replied, "Yes."Senior aides to several other progressive House Democrats said their bosses were still mulling how to vote on the bill as of Saturday — with some acknowledging that it will be difficult either way.House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), asked about the measure on Friday, told Axios: "I haven't seen the resolution yet.""It's being worked," the first senior House Democrat told Axios of party leadership's internal deliberations around the bill.Yes, but: The language is not likely to stop some of the most pro-Israel House Democrats from voting for the legislation.The second House Democrat who spoke on the condition of anonymity told Axios, "If there's a resolution condemning Boulder, I'm going to vote for that."Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) said "Free Palestine" should "mean liberating Palestinians from the oppression of Hamas. Instead, it has come to signify something far more sinister: the destruction of Israel as a Jewish state.""Free Palestine certainly isn't good Shabbos," is how Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), a Jewish progressive, put it.Zoom in: The "Free Palestine" language is not the only wrinkle for Democrats in the measure — it also expresses "gratitude" to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for "protecting the homeland."That's another provision that some Democratic offices have raised objections to in discussions with leadership, multiple sources told Axios.Democrats have faced rising tensions with ICE in recent months as the agency has carried out the Trump administration's deportation campaign.Zoom out: This would be far from the first time House Democrats have been divided on a vote around antisemitism and Israel.The caucus split almost evenly on the Antisemitism Awareness Act, which, to the frustration of Democrats, codified a definition of antisemitism that included some criticisms of Israel.They have also frequently been divided on votes around supporting and providing aid to Israel amid their ongoing war with Hamas.Democrats believe a bipartisan measure condemning the Boulder attack — introduced by Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) and co-sponsored by Reps. Jeff Crank (R-Colo.) and Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.) — should be the one going to a vote.Spokespeople for Evans and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) did not respond to requests for comment on this story.

Comments

World news

Zelenskyy singles out 'hard pressure' from U.S. as pivotal to ending Russia's war with Ukraine

washington times

Comments

Similar News

Chabria: Democrats are busy bashing themselves. Is it needed, or just needy?

Trump-Musk feud live updates: President threatens Tesla boss with ‘serious consequences’ if he funds Democrats

Trump says Musk could face ‘serious consequences’ if he backs Democrats

Trump warns Musk of ‘very serious consequences’ if he backs Democrats

Mike Johnson gives Democrats extra Intel Committee seat to get Stefanik back on

"He's a lunatic": Democrats shut down idea of Musk alliance after break with Trump

"He's a lunatic": Democrats shut down idea of Musk alliance after break with Trump

'We have a geriatric problem' - Democrats wrestle with age-old issue

Scoop: Musk claims spur Democrats to probe whether Trump is in the Epstein files

Democrats can barely contain their glee over Trump and Musk’s ‘big beautiful breakup’

Democrats denounce Trump’s ‘reckless’ and ‘discriminatory’ travel ban

Democrats claim Trump’s travel ban is just a distraction so his spending bill can get through Congress

Democrats need to embrace economic populism to win back young voters, says advocacy group leader

New York City Democratic mayoral primary debate: five key takeaways

Scoop: Dozens of congressional Democrats vow to boycott popular D.C. restaurants

House Democrats question Trump in probe of Elon Musk's alleged drug use

Democratic candidates for New York mayor spar over housing, Covid and Trump

Biden’s frailty has Democrats scrambling to rebrand - or jump ship like Karine Jean-Pierre

Trump impeachment causes a new furious internal battle among House Democrats

Democrats are calling for ICE agents to lose their masks and have identities released. DHS says no way

World news

Zelenskyy singles out 'hard pressure' from U.S. as pivotal to ending Russia's war with Ukraine

Italians vote on citizenship and job protections in referendums threatened by low turnout

The US territory where locals want to join Spain and become 'like the Canary Islands'

LA protests LIVE: National Guard deployed as Trump cracks down on demonstrators

Mom of boy who allegedly got nude Snapchat from teacher says school officials branded him a ‘liar’

Police release new pictures of fugitive dad accused of murdering his three daughters

Trump orders law enforcement to ‘liberate’ LA from ‘migrant invasion’ amid clashes over ICE raids

Bombshell report reveals Pentagon fueled UFO myths around Area 51 to hide classified weapons program

I fell 9,000ft & LIVED after my paraglider wing collapsed during a flight… but I can’t wait to get back in the sky

World Pride celebrations end with defiant politics on display in Washington

Child killed, another injured in Vancouver speedboat crash: RCMP

'Have my house' - Usyk invites Trump to witness Ukraine war

Touring a Tunnel in Gaza That Leads Underneath a Hospital

Monday Briefing: Tensions Flare in Los Angeles

Brits tourist in Spain supercar crash as £100k Audi flips and bursts into flames

Trump stumbles on steps up to Air Force One

Colombian Sen. Miguel Uribe Turbay in serious condition after shooting at political rally

Spanish opposition party rallies tens of thousands of protesters in Madrid

Chabria: The insurrection that wasn't, and other Trump fantasies

British ‘service person’ arrested on suspicion of ‘raping’ woman near army training camp in Kenya

Dark side of Portugal’s party resort where 2 Brits died as free booze & public nudity force locals into drastic action

Rayner and Reeves reach eleventh-hour truce in spending battle

The Gold series two will make you pine for the eighties

LA protests: What to know as the National Guard mobilizes

Thailand tourist horror as women's foot is 'crushed like glass' before 'everything went black'

Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner's 'chilling encounter that could've saved young Brit'

Oilers and Panthers embroiled in razor-thin Stanley Cup final ahead of Game 3

Speaker of U.S. House of Representatives downplays Musk’s influence on Trump’s tax and budget bill

Montreal actor focused on directing but has ideas for ‘White Lotus’ after breakout performance

Air quality alerts ease across much of Quebec and Ontario after days of haze

Toronto tenant fears homelessness amid alleged ‘bad faith’ eviction

Israel warns it will stop aid yacht heading for Gaza

Israel says Hamas Gaza chief Sinwar's body identified

BBC on the ground as National Guard set up in Los Angeles

Colombian senator and would-be presidential candidate is shot and wounded at Bogota rally

Chinese ship runs aground off Philippines-occupied island in the disputed South China Sea

NATO boss issues terrifying WW3 warning - 'start learning Russian'

Tropical Storm Barbara threatens hurricane off Mexico

Trump calls Musk ‘big-time drug addict’ according to report, as feud shows no sign of ending

News Analysis: A political lesson for L.A. from an unrestrained president

Harrowing new details revealed in autopsy report after grandma accused of murdering two grandsons in their rural home

Just days before spending review, Starmer’s cabinet still can’t agree over cuts

Snoop Dogg performs ahead of B.C. Lions’ home opener

Researchers say problematic smartphone use like an addiction

Oilers and Panthers relish days off as Stanley Cup final moves to Florida

What to know about Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops to LA protests

Summer McIntosh sets world record in 400M freestyle at Canadian Swimming Trials

Colombian senator shot and wounded at Bogota rally

U.S. envoy closely eyes Canada defence spending; says NATO about collective defence

A quirky vegetable sculpture contest features a squash Donald Trump and a papal 'Cornclave'

Chinese hackers and user lapses turn smartphones into a 'mobile security crisis'

U.N. Ocean Conference sets sail in France on World Oceans Day

Palestinians say Israeli fire kills 5 near aid sites. Israel says it fired warning shots

Raising school fees torments many Africans. Some expect the Catholic Church to do more to help

Israel vows to prevent an aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg and other activists from reaching Gaza

Russia awaits Ukraine's confirmation on a planned exchange of dead fighters, officials say

Pope Leo criticizes political nationalism and prays for reconciliation and dialogue