For Immediate Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, in the face of a partisan, politically-motivated attempt to censure him, Congressman Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D. (NY-16) and many of his Democratic colleagues spoke out against Republican attempts to silence his voice and the voice of his constituents. They condemned Republicans’ continued efforts to waste the American people’s time and taxpayer dollars, vilify and silence members of color, and push sham political stunts instead of focusing on the issues that Americans actually care about, like affordability, healthcare, and gun violence.
The censure resolution comes months after a weekend vote to avert a government shutdown at which the Congressman pulled a fire alarm in an attempt to rush to the vote. He did not disrupt any official proceedings of Congress. He has already taken accountability for his actions and gone through the proper investigative channels with the Republican-led House Ethics Committee which chose not to proceed with the investigation.
The coalition of members speaking against the censure included Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05), Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (CA-33), Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member Jim McGovern (MA-2), and Representatives Haley Stevens (MI-11), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), Cori Bush (MO-01), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), and Ilhan Omar (MN-05).
“Over the last 3 years I have tirelessly fought for my constituents by bringing over $125 million to my district, helping save members of our community over $7 million, and resolving over 6,500 constituent casework issues. I’ve introduced over 50 bills, resolutions, and amendments and had two bills on STEM education passed in the historic CHIPS and Science Act,” said Congressman Jamaal Bowman Ed.D. (NY-16). “Even today, as Republicans force a censure on me, I introduced a new bill, the College Athlete Right to Organize, to ensure our college athletes get paid for their time and hard work. No matter the result of the censure vote tomorrow, my constituents know I will always keep fighting for them.”
"If extreme MAGA Republicans are going to continue to try to weaponize the censure as is being done on this floor right now, going after Democrats repeatedly, week after week after week, because you have nothing better to do, then I volunteer,” said Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-8). "Censure me next, censure me next. That's how worthless your censure effort is. It has no credibility, no integrity, no legitimacy. Censure me next and I'll take that censure and I'll wear it next week, next month, next year, like a badge of honor. Go home, sleep well, and say to myself, today was a good day."
"Just last week, the majority's leadership said no to holding George Santos accountable," said Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5). “After our motion to expel was made by the Republican chairman of the Ethics Commission. But today, they bring this to the floor. A censure isn't a substitute for a policy agenda. It isn't filler When you have nothing to offer the American people. Vote no on this sham resolution."
"A vote for this resolution will further divide this party at a time when we should be coming together to make the needs of the American public front and center,” said Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (CA-33). "I'm proud to stand with my colleague, Mr. Bowman of New York, and I urge a no vote.”
“Congressman Bowman is a brilliant, committed, progressive member who has dedicated his life to equity and opportunity for kids,” said Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal (WA-7). “He is a leader in economics, education and racial justice. He is a leader of the Green New Deal for public schools and legislation to pay artists what they're worth. He made a mistake. He apologized. He paid the fine.”
"I have seen Mr. Bowman fight for disability rights, for child care, for affordable prescription drugs, affordable housing,” said Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11). “He has stood up to racism. He stood up to the attacks on public education. Attacks on teachers. Cuts to school nutrition. There is a unique and vital perspective Mr. Bowman brings to education issues in this Congress.”
"New York Republicans are so embarrassed that they have not accomplished a damn thing for New Yorkers this entire year that they have to find a distraction,” said Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14). “And so they've decided to target one of the first Black men to ever represent Westchester County in the United States Congress for censure. That is what today is about…I mean, truly, these arguments that are being made here, what's next? Jaywalking. Do you want to get us for jaywalking?”
"We've got 99 problems, but a functional government and a Republican majority is not one of them,” said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-7). “Republicans are disconnected, dysfunctional, discriminating and a disappointment to the American people. They can't pass a bill to fund our public schools, but they will bring this resolution to attack. Congressman Bowman, a champion for students, a lifelong educator, a duly elected member of Congress, and a strong Black man.”
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