The U.S. House of Representatives passed an amendment to the annual U.S. State Department appropriations bill on Thursday that would bar the department from citing casualty figures from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry, leading far-left “squad” member Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib to blame “anti-Palestinian racism” in the chamber.
The amendment, introduced by Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) and co-sponsored by Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) and Carol Miller (R-W.Va.), passed 269-144, with 62 Democrats joining 207 Republicans to ensure its passage.
All of the House Democratic leadership opposed the measure, except caucus vice chair Ted Lieu (D-Calif.). Two Republicans, Reps. Paul Gosar (Ariz.) and Matthew Rosendale (Mont.), also voted against it.
In a floor speech supporting his amendment, Moskowitz said civilian deaths in Gaza were tragic but that the State Department should not be using casualty figures provided by a U.S.-designated terrorist group.
