Jayapal Leads Lawmakers in Urging McCarthy to Address Greene’s Dangerous Behavior
“Every day that goes by without action from your leadership is a tacit endorsement of the Congresswoman’s offenses, and invitation for her to continue — and escalate further.”
WASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) led nearly 40 lawmakers today in urging Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23) to take immediate action to fully address Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene’s (GA-14) dangerous, concerning, and unacceptable behavior. The lawmakers specifically outlined numerous instances where Greene’s harassment of her colleagues has escalated to an abhorrent level. They also expressed extreme concern that her conduct is creating an unsafe work environment and that her actions could lead to violence against members of Congress.
“We urge you in the strongest terms to take immediate action to address Rep. Greene’s behavior,” the lawmakers told McCarthy. “In recent months, the Congresswoman’s harassment of her colleagues has reached an unacceptable level. Every day that goes by without action from your leadership is a tacit endorsement of the Congresswoman’s offenses, and invitation for her to continue — and escalate further.”
It is well documented that Greene has repeatedly singled out fellow members of Congress. In January, a colleague called on Greene to put on a mask as she walked mask-less down a hallway at the height of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. She and her staff then berated the colleague who subsequently moved offices for her and her staff’s safety. In February, Greene displayed offensive signage outside her office to taunt a parent of a transgender child. In March, she berated a colleague on the floor of the House Chamber and continued to follow her when the colleague refused to engage.
Greene has also repeatedly lashed out at various members on social media. In May, she suggested that fellow members support terrorism, are anti-American, and do not belong in Congress. These behaviors only appear to be escalating, with her recent comments at a rally to lock up a colleague.
Today’s letter follows earlier pledges by Leader McCarthy to address unacceptable behavior by Greene. In February, he issued a formal statement saying, “Past comments from and endorsed by Marjorie Taylor Greene…do not represent the values or beliefs of the House Republican Conference.” The Republican leader went on to say that he had, “made clear that as a member of Congress we have a responsibility to hold ourselves to a higher standard than how she presented herself as a private citizen.” McCarthy also pledged that he would, “hold her to her word, as well as her actions going forward.”
The letter is signed by U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Nanette Diaz Barragán, Earl Blumenauer, Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D., Brendan F. Boyle, Cori Bush, André Carson, Joaquin Castro, Judy Chu, Gerald E. Connolly, Danny K. Davis, Veronica Escobar, Adriano Espaillat, Jesús G. “Chuy” García, Sylvia R. Garcia, Jared Huffman, Sheila Jackson Lee, Sara Jacobs, Robin L. Kelly, John B. Larson, Barbara Lee, Teresa Leger Fernández, Alan Lowenthal, James P. McGovern, Grace Meng, Marie Newman, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Katie Porter, David Price, Jan Schakowsky, Dina Titus, Norma J. Torres, Ritchie Torres, Juan Vargas, Nydia M. Velázquez, Bonnie Watson Coleman, and Susan Wild.
The text of the full letter is available here.
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Issues: Government Reform & Ethics