Pressley, House Progressives Call for Rep. Lauren Boebert to Be Removed From Committee Assignments

Statement

Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) joined Representatives Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Cori Bush (MO-01), André Carson (IN-07), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and 34 House progressives to issue the following statement calling for Representative Lauren Boebert (CO-03) to be removed from her committee assignments following her Islamophobic comments and incitement of anti-Muslim animus.

"Rep. Boebert has repeatedly weaponized dangerous, anti-Muslim bigotry at our colleague Representative Ilhan Omar (MN-05). Instead of apologizing, Rep. Boebert has continued her Islamophobic rhetoric and chosen to spread hateful speech even further. In the face of death threats and vitriol being spewed at Rep. Omar, Representative Kevin McCarthy (CA-23)'s decision to allow and embolden continued hostility from his members speaks clearly to the Republican party's willingness to allow hate and division to grow at the expense of our people, our values, and our institutions.

"But we refuse to stand by as Islamophobia, anti-Blackness, anti-immigrant sentiment, and xenophobia are trafficked into the halls of Congress by members of the Republican party. Today, we are calling for Rep. Boebert to be removed from her committee assignments. Our response to behavior that creates a dangerous work environment and furthers a climate of toxicity and intolerance cannot be silence. Congress cannot forgo accountability when a Member engages in hate speech that dehumanizes not only a colleague, but an entire people. We cannot be complicit as members of this body, who swore an oath to protect and defend the constitution of the United States, trample on the fundamental right of religious freedom.

"Muslims across the country are looking to Congress at this moment, watching to see if those they sent to represent their interests in Washington are going to stand up in the face of blatant, vicious Islamophobia. We owe it to them, and to every person who has been the recipient of harassment and verbal abuse based on their religion, race, gender, sexuality, or other identity, to stand up and show them that their votes to send us here mean something -- that our values mean something, and are worth defending. We stand in solidarity with Rep. Omar, and urge every single one of our colleagues to join us in demanding action."