Several House Democrats voiced disapproval of Rep. Pramila Jayapal's labeling of Israel as a 'racist state,' while others expressed relief at her subsequent retraction. House Republicans have initiated a censure resolution against Rep. Jayapal, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, for her statement. This action follows Rep. Jayapal's retraction of her remark and her affirmative vote on a Republican-sponsored resolution confirming that Israel is not a racist or apartheid state. This occurred just prior to Israeli President Isaac Herzog's address to a joint session of Congress.

Representatives Andy Ogles (R-TN), Randy Weber (R-TX), and Jeff Duncan (R-SC) introduced the censure resolution on Thursday. Whether House leadership will bring the resolution to a vote remains uncertain. Speaker Kevin McCarthy's office has not yet responded to a request for comment.

Rep. Jayapal's initial comment, made during a Netroots Nation panel in Chicago, drew sharp criticism from House Democratic leaders and 43 of her colleagues. While she later clarified her stance, stating her belief that the current Israeli government, under Netanyahu's leadership, has implemented discriminatory and racist policies driven by extremists, her initial statement led to a House resolution affirming support for Israel. Nine progressive Democrats voted against this resolution. Rep. Jayapal explained her vote in favor of the resolution as a refusal to be manipulated by political maneuvering.

This potential censure marks the second instance in recent weeks where the House Republican majority has moved to formally reprimand members. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) was censured last month for promoting unsubstantiated allegations of collusion between the 2016 Trump campaign and Russia.