
The leader of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus on Monday sought a House vote to formally condemn Rep. Paul GosarPaul Anthony GosarDem bringing 'Dreamer' to SOTU: You'll have to 'break my bones' before threatening my guest Dem lawmaker leaving seat vacant at SOTU to honor people 'wrongfully targeted for deportation' GOP Rep. tears into colleague's ‘drastic and cruel’ call for Dreamers’ arrests at State of the Union MORE (R-Ariz.) for urging the Capitol Police to arrest immigrants without legal status who were guests of lawmakers at last week’s State of the Union address.
Rep. Michelle Lujan GrishamMichelle Lynn Lujan GrishamTrump immigration plan hits wall of opposition Democrats pan Trump's immigration framework 11 people who will shape the immigration debate MORE (D-N.M.), the caucus chairwoman, offered a resolution on the floor that condemns Gosar for “inappropriate actions that intimidated State of the Union guests and discredited the U.S. House of Representatives.”
The resolution states that Gosar “abused his power in an attempt to interfere with and politicize the U.S. Capitol Police’s efforts to provide for a safe, secure, and open environment during the State of the Union” and violated rules requiring all members to behave in a manner reflecting “creditably” on the House.
Gosar called on the Capitol Police to check the identification of people attending the State of the Union last Tuesday and arrest anyone residing in the U.S. without documentation.
Scores of Democrats had invited young immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children, often referred to as “Dreamers.”
“Of all the places where the Rule of Law needs to be enforced, it should be in the hallowed halls of Congress. Any illegal aliens attempting to go through security, under any pretext of invitation or otherwise, should be arrested and deported,” Gosar wrote in a series of tweets.
Under House rules, any member can bring up a “privileged” resolution raising questions regarding the dignity and integrity of chamber proceedings. Lujan Grisham used that process for her resolution to condemn Gosar, which must, under House procedures, receive legislative action within two days.
It’s likely that GOP leaders would move to table the resolution, but the Congressional Hispanic Caucus would still be able to force a procedural vote.
Many lawmakers, including centrist Republican Rep. Carlos CurbeloCarlos Luis CurbeloLive coverage: Trump delivers his first State of the Union GOP lawmaker asks Capitol Police to arrest 'Dreamers' at State of the Union GOP lawmaker rips Huckabee for ‘despicable’ joke about Ruth Bader Ginsburg MORE (Fla.), had invited recipients of the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which granted qualifying immigrants temporary work permits.
DACA recipients with valid permits would not have been at risk of arrest.
The Trump administration is phasing out DACA, but lawmakers are struggling to negotiate a deal to allow the program’s recipients to stay in the country in exchange for border security measures.
It’s not the first time a member of the House minority has called out the behavior of a lawmaker in the majority party.
In 2014, Rep. Marcia FudgeMarcia Louise FudgeDem lawmaker: ‘We are seeing the dumbing down of the presidency’ Overnight Tech: States sue FCC over net neutrality repeal | Senate Dems reach 50 votes on measure to override repeal | Dems press Apple on phone slowdowns, kids' health | New Android malware found Dem lawmakers push Apple on public health risks, iPhone slowdowns MORE (D-Ohio), then the chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, offered a privileged resolution to condemn then-House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa
Darrell Edward IssaDon’t sabotage H-1Bs—fix them House GOP Appropriations chairman calls it quits Democrats have open door amid wave of Republican retirements MORE (R-Calif.) for shutting down a hearing without letting any Democrats speak.
Issa had cut off the microphone of the Oversight Committee’s ranking Democrat, Rep. Elijah CummingsElijah Eugene CummingsOversight chairman threatens to subpoena HHS for withholding information Dems press Gowdy to subpoena Homeland Security for election hacking documents Top Dems demand answers from State Department after employees cite career concerns MORE (Md.), a Black Caucus member.
The House ultimately voted to table Fudge's resolution.
Democrats blasted Gosar last week for his actions, as did with two Republicans who have centrist views on immigration policy.
"Oh my goodness, RepGosar. Dreamers don’t pose a threat to us. This is so drastic and cruel. Dios mío," Rep. Ileana Ros-LehtinenIleana Carmen Ros-LehtinenGOP Rep. tears into colleague's ‘drastic and cruel’ call for Dreamers’ arrests at State of the Union GOP lawmaker asks Capitol Police to arrest 'Dreamers' at State of the Union Overnight Cybersecurity: Trump taps finance exec as federal CIO | White House downplays talk of 5G takeover | Massive cryptocurrency heist sparks scrutiny MORE (R-Fla.) tweeted.
Sen. Jeff FlakeJeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeGOP lawmakers describe terrifying scene at train crash GOP lawmakers help people injured in train crash One killed after train carrying GOP lawmakers hits truck in Virginia MORE (R-Ariz.) wrote: “This is why we can’t have nice things…”
Speaker Paul RyanPaul Davis RyanSchumer: Nunes intent on undermining 'rule of law' with altered memo Schiff: Nunes gave Trump 'secretly altered' version of memo Several lawmakers have seen intelligence behind Nunes memo MORE (R-Wis.) offered milder pushback, with a spokeswoman saying that “the Speaker clearly does not agree.”