Censuring Representative Paul Gosar

Floor Speech

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Mr. ARMSTRONG. Madam Speaker, I was in Minneapolis the Saturday that speech was given, so to say that it wasn't analogous, I think, is fairly uncertain. The entire town was a tinderbox.

So as we continue to move through this, I would appreciate a little less of the self-righteous indignation. What is really damaging here and what is really unfortunate is that we have abandoned any recognition of institutional integrity, any pretense of fairness, any notion that something should be above partisanship.

Because I got news--and I believe this--I thought what was said in Minneapolis doesn't rise to incitement of violence. Jury tampering, possibly. Irresponsible, absolutely. The same thing goes for this post. It was dumb. It was silly. It was stupid. It was mean-spirited. But you know what it is not? It is not incitement of violence. And when we use hyperbole in those words, we cause ourselves problems, but there is no point and attempt with the majority at this point to follow through on any rules or procedures.

The U.S. House of Representatives looks significantly more like a junior high lunchroom than a legislative body. If you are in our clique, you are okay. If not, tough. If we like you, no fines. If we don't, we will take it out of your paycheck. A Member on your side calls for violence, motion to table; a Member on our side, stand in the well and answer for your sins. Rules matter, process matters, the institution matters.

Madam Speaker, this will be the fourth Member of the minority stripped of their committees by the majority this Congress. That has never happened before, but it is going to happen again.

And that is what I don't understand. I understand completely why the majority's leadership is willing to do anything to maintain control over the caucus until the next election. But in the process, you are all negatively and permanently changing the way this body functions--forever. You are weaponizing the gavel against minority Members. And if you think it stops at the next election, I have no doubt that the leadership in the majority has no intention of going back to being a rank-and-file Member in the minority, but the rest of you all will. And how do you think this ends? When the pendulum swings, and it will, we are all going to suffer the consequences.

The SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE. The time of the gentleman has expired.

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Mr. ARMSTRONG. Madam Speaker, the institution is going to suffer for it, and it is already suffering for it.

Committee structures, scheduling hearings, witness lists, these are all purviews of the majority. But rules of conduct and decorum have to be applied equally to all Members or the institution continues to degrade.

Madam Speaker, the rules are not being applied equally. It is noticed by us. It is noticed by the American people. It is unfortunate, and it is sad.

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