CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s three delegates in the U.S. House of Representatives voted against a resolution condemning President Donald Trump for comments he made against four female lawmakers of color.
The House passed the resolution in a 240-187 vote, condemning the president for tweets he made Sunday, telling the Democratic congresswomen to “go back” to their home countries. The tweets were made despite all four lawmakers being American citizens and three having been born in the United States.
The resolution notes Trump’s comments “legitimized and increased fear and hatred of new Americans and people of color.”
Reps. David McKinley, Alex Mooney and Carol Miller joined a majority of their Republican colleagues in opposing the resolution.
Reps. Susan Brooks of Indiana; Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania; Will Hurd of Texas; and Fred Upton of Michigan joined Democrats, as did independent Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan. Amash left the GOP earlier this month.
“When we look at the content of the legislation brought up for discussion today, it’s no surprise that the American people have such low approval of Congress,” Miller said on the House floor.
“If it’s not a messaging bill to placate the activists, then it’s an advancement of the socialist agenda, a bill to handcuff our president, or a denouncement of American values. I came to Congress to create jobs, grow the economy, innovate our energy industry, and fix West Virginia’s infrastructure.”
Miller also criticized the Democratic response to immigration issues on the U.S.-Mexico border, saying members denied there was a “crisis.”
“I want to work together to solve this crisis,” she said. “Instead, we are here debating political nonsense. I’ve had enough talk about tweets, squads, infighting, labels and petty disagreements.”
McKinley and Mooney responded to the tweets before the vote was made; McKinley said Trump has been “under relentless pressure” from Democrats and reporters, which led to “his inarticulate and counterproductive response” on Twitter.
“We can highlight the extreme positions of the Democrats without resorting to comments like these. Both sides should tone down the rhetoric,” he told MetroNews.
Mooney shifted focus to immigration policy in a statement Tuesday afternoon.
“Instead of passing another resolution falsely attacking President Donald Trump, Congress should come together and work with the president to secure the border,” he said.
“It is disappointing to hear politicians on the other side of the aisle continually attack American ideals and values without any congressional resolutions condemning them.”
Trump has defended the tweets, saying the remarks were not racist.
“Our Country is Free, Beautiful and Very Successful. If you hate our Country, or if you are not happy here, you can leave!” he tweeted Tuesday morning.