House Dem files censure resolution against Elise Stefanik

A House Democrat on Wednesday filed a censure resolution against House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik because she referred to people charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot as “hostages.”

Rep. Dan Goldman, New York Democrat, said that Mrs. Stefanik’s comments, which echoed rhetoric by former President Donald Trump, equated the rioters to Israelis held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.

Mr. Goldman’s censure resolution charged Mrs. Stefanik, New York Republican, with supporting “duly charged and convicted Jan. 6 insurrectionists.”

“I believe that it is unbecoming of a member of Congress to use language to support people that threatened violence against members of this body,” Mr. Goldman said. “And it is also unbecoming of someone who purports to be a leader against anti-semitism to demean and belittle the severity of hostages in Gaza.”

The censure resolution is unlikely to get a vote in the Republican-run House unless Mr. Goldman forces the vote, which he said he is ready to do.

Still, it would take Republican votes to approve the censure of Ms. Stafnik, and that is highly unlikely.

Ms. Stefanik said Mr. Goldman’s move was an affront to her “unwavering support for the Constitution, the rule of law, and election integrity.”

“Democrats are in desperate free fall because they know President Trump will defeat Joe Biden this November,” Mrs. Stefanik said on X.

Alex DeGrasse, Mrs. Stefanik’s executive director, called Mr. Goldman a “corrupt radical New York Democrat.” He accused Mr. Goldman of unethically trading stocks, taking money from accused child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, and “engaging in witch hunts” against Mr. Trump.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, Louisiana Republican, called the move “absurd.”

“She’s one of the best leaders and best communicators in Congress,” Mr. Johnson told reporters. “She is doing an exceptional job and the idea that he would use censure to attack a political opponent is just ridiculous.”