Congressman Cohen Urges Speaker Johnson to Postpone Monday Night Votes so Members Can Attend White House Hanukkah Reception
Votes were postponed last week to accommodate members’ attending Christmas reception
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today wrote to Speaker Mike Johnson, urging him to postpone Monday night votes to accommodate Members attending tonight’s Hanukkah Reception at the White House. Votes were postponed on December 4 to allow members to attend a Christmas reception at the White House.
After sending the letter, Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
“This is a particularly sensitive time for Jews following the horrific attacks by Hamas on October 7 and the continuation of what is an existential war for Israel. It’s important for Jewish members to attend the White House reception tonight to show unqualified support for Israel – not military aid conditioned on drastic cuts to the IRS. Speaker Johnson is guided by the Bible. God, through Moses, led Jews out of Egypt. Two millennia ago, a young Jewish man named Jesus started a religious movement in Israel. The Speaker is a true believer and should respect Jewish members’ desire to have tonight’s votes postponed.”
The letter to Johnson reads in part:
“While my office, in addition to several other Member offices, reached out to request that votes be postponed, I understand that your office plans to continue with votes tonight as scheduled. I find this incredibly disappointing. I would expect that the Jewish Members of our body be given the same consideration and deference as our other colleagues. With that in mind, I respectfully urge that votes be postponed.”
See the entire letter here.
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