Rep. Thomas Massie voted no on a House resolution that sought to honor Jewish heritage while also attempting to denounce antisemitic crimes.
Massie, who stormed to victory in the Republican primary in the 4th Congressional district on May 17, was the only no vote on the resolution. The measure passed with 420 votes, with eight Republicans abstaining from the vote.
The seven-page resolution details the history of Jewish Americans and the contribution they’ve made to the United States. It also outlined the hate directed toward the Jewish faith, especially as attacks and holocaust deniers have increased in recent years.
The document also resolves that leaders and politicians condemn such attacks and “calls on elected officials, faith leaders, and civil society leaders to use their bully pulpit to condemn and combat any and all manifestations of antisemitism.”
On Twitter, Massie elaborated that he doesn’t hate anybody.
“I don’t hate anyone based on his or her ethnicity or religion,” he said. “Legitimate government exists, in part, to punish those who commit unprovoked violence against others, but government can’t legislate thought. This bill promoted internet censorship and violations of the 1st amendment.”
A group called “Stop Antisemitism” said on Twitter that they were “outraged to see Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) just vote no on a bi-partisan House resolution condemning antisemitism.”
