Congressman Cohen Speaks and Votes Against Republican Hypocrisy on Political Violence

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, today spoke from the floor against H. Con. Res. 3, a resolution condemning violence and property damage against pro-life organizations, then voted against the one-sided measure. The vote on passage was 222 to 209.

In his floor remarks, Congressman Cohen said in part:

“First, I’d like to note the profound hypocrisy going on in this chamber…Every Democrat, and I hope every Republican, rejects and condemns political violence. We settle our disagreements at the ballot box and through the rule of law, not through violent actions. Republicans say this resolution is about condemning violence and enforcement of laws. Yet it only condemns those of their favorite organizations and facilities – the pro-life crowd.

“They should be aghast that they don’t include the murders of the 11 people killed at abortion providers since 1993: Dr. George Tiller, killed in Kansas entering his church, shot in the back; David Gunn, shot in the head while at his clinic in Pensacola, Florida; just this past New Year’s in Knoxville, a Planned Parenthood clinic was destroyed by arson. There are too many property crimes at Planned Parenthood and other facilities…None are mentioned.”

See Congressman Cohen’s entire remarks here.

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