Condemning the Behavior of Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene

Floor Speech

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Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to condemn the behavior, comments, and beliefs of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia.

Rep. Greene has stated or shown support for a number of baseless conspiracy theories and criminal actions against American elected officials and institutions. Even before she represented the people of Georgia's 14th District, Rep. Greene said or supported beliefs that 1) House Speaker Nancy Pelosi should be shot, 2) the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 did not happen, and 3) the shooting at a Parkland, FL high school that killed 17 people was staged.

Since Rep. Greene has been elected to Congress, she has continued her horrific, incendiary and anti-American rhetoric and behavior. Rep. Greene has encouraged and incited the disgraceful attack on our nation's Capitol Building on January 6, 2021 as well as acts of violence against former presidents of the United States. She has posted on social media a split-screen picture of herself with an AR-15 automatic weapon on one side and three female Members of Congress on the other with the caption, ``The Squad's Worst Nightmare.'' No Member of Congress should have to worry about being in pictures with an AR-15 pointed at them. As a deliberative body, we debate, and we disagree. But we do not abide death threats of any sort.

Her attempted apology on the House floor was just a disingenuous attempt at covering her true beliefs. Never once did she address the violent comments towards Democratic Leadership that she made or agreed with.

The Republican leadership refused to punish Rep. Greene for her statements and behavior. In fact, they thought it was a good idea to put her on the House Education and Labor Committee. For a Member of Congress to claim that the Parkland tragedy is fake and then be assigned to the Education Committee is outrageous. It is a slap in the face to all the families who lost children and loved ones during that horrible day.

Never at any point has Rep. Greene fully recanted, repudiated nor apologized for any of her statements and behavior. Every day she is a sitting Member of Congress brings shame and dishonor to the U.S. House of Representatives. Her actions are absolutely unacceptable and beneath the dignity of this body. I strongly believe that Rep. Greene poses a continuous threat to the safety of several Members of this body and the institutions that have been the pride of America for more than 200 years.

That is why I voted for the removal of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from all committee assignments and will further push for her removal from Congress.

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