On the Censure of Ilhan Omar

Statement by Rep. Tom McClintock on the Ilhan Omar censure resolution: Ilhan Omar's comments regarding the assassination of Charlie Kirk are vile and contemptible. They deserve the harshest criticism of every man and woman of good will. But this disgusting and hateful speech is still speech and is protected by our First Amendment. Censure is formal punishment by the House and we have already gone too far down this road. Omar's comments were not made in the House and even if they were, they broke no House rules. A free society depends on tolerating ALL speech - even hateful speech - confident that the best way to sort good from evil is to put the two side by side and trust the people to know the difference. Congress exists for this purpose. For this reason, I voted to table the censure resolution.