Rep. Louie Gohmert (R., Texas) denounced the resolution introduced by House Democratic leaders condemning multiple forms of hatred in the wake of anti-Semitic comments made by Rep. Ilhan Omar (D., Minn.).
Gohmert's remarks came during a speech on the floor of the House on Thursday prior to the vote on the resolution. He quoted the Book of Proverbs to condemn various forms of wickedness, and then explained why anti-Semitism needs special attention.
"What makes this so dangerous, and the reason I will vote against this resolution, is because we came here because of an anti-Semitic remark, and we came here to condemn anti-Semitism, but this resolution, as changed up over the last hour, now condemns just about everything. And the reason that is so dangerous is that anti-Semitism, hatred for the children of Israel, is a very special kind of hatred that should never be watered down," Gohmert said.
"There has never been a persecution of a people like the Jewish people from 1933 to 1945, over six million killed. And it started with little things: hateful remarks made about the children of Israel that grew and grew and, as if it was okay because it was made by somebody who had a grudge, it was let go. And it built until it led to the death of six million Jews, and we have to say 'no, we will not let it go on.' And that's why I'll vote against it. It's watered down the sentiment," Gohmert continued.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel (D., N.Y.) also expressed disappointment with the resolution, saying he was "very disappointed we weren't able to have a separate resolution that condemns anti-Semitism."
Foreign Affairs chairman Eliot Engel laying it all bare on the floor right now:
"I wish we had had a separate resolution. We deserved it... But I am very disappointed we weren't able to have a separate resolution that condemns anti-Semitism."
— Sarah Ferris (@sarahnferris) March 7, 2019
The House overwhelmingly passed the resolution.
House Democratic leaders scrambled to write the resolution after Omar made anti-Semitic comments at an event in Washington, D.C. last week, where she said she wanted "to talk about the political influence in this country that says it is okay for people to push for allegiance to a foreign country."
Omar did not apologize for her comments, instead doubling down in tweets directed at fellow Democratic congresswoman Nita Lowey (D., N.Y.), in which she repeated the anti-Semitic dual-loyalty canard.
Omar's latest foray into public displays of anti-Semitism comes after she apologized last month for anti-Semitic tweets, many of which were quietly deleted last week. She has also had to walk back a tweet in which she accused Israel of hypnotizing the world and performing evil acts.