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.

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