Republican Rep. Randy Weber on Wednesday introduced a resolution to censure Rep. Jasmine Crockett over recent comments the Democratic congresswoman made about Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, according to a draft of the resolution shared with CNN and the congressman’s office.
Weber is seeking the punishment in response to Crockett referring to Abbott, who uses a wheelchair, as “Governor Hot Wheels” and a “hot a** mess” at a Human Rights Campaign event in Los Angeles over the weekend.
In a statement on X, Crockett said her remarks weren’t in reference to Abbott’s use of a wheelchair
“I wasn’t thinking about the governor’s condition—I was thinking about the planes, trains, and automobiles he used to transfer migrants into communities led by Black mayors, deliberately stoking tension and fear among the most vulnerable,” Crockett posted.
“Literally, the next line I said was that he was a ‘Hot A** Mess,’ referencing his terrible policies. At no point did I mention or allude to his condition,” she added.
Abbott was partially paralyzed after a tree fell on him while he was jogging at the age of 26.
In response to Crockett’s comments, Abbott told Fox News’ Sean Hannity later Tuesday, “It’s another day and another disaster by the Democrats. The reality is, they have no vision, no policy. They have nothing to sell but hate, and Americans are not buying it.”
The question remains whether Weber will force House GOP leadership to consider the resolution quickly by making it privileged. Censuring a member of Congress, a formal condemnation once considered rare in the House chamber, has become a mechanism that both parties have utilized more regularly.
It would be the second time this month that Republicans have moved to censure a Democrat, following efforts to punish Texas Democratic Rep. Al Green for disrupting President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress. Ten Democrats joined with House Republicans to formally reprimand Green for his protest of the speech.
COMMENTARY:
It’s difficult to see how Republicans can consider censoring Rep. Crockett when their leader – Pres. Donald Trump – has a long history of making offensive comments that they’ve ignored.
Regarding Mexican Immigrants (2015): When announcing his presidential campaign, he claimed that Mexico was sending criminals and rapists to the U.S.
Regarding John McCain (2015): He said McCain was not a war hero because he was captured.
Regarding African Nations (2018): He reportedly referred to some African nations as “shithole countries” during an immigration meeting.
Regarding a Federal Judge (2016): He questioned a judge’s ability to be fair because of his Mexican heritage