Rep. Cori Bush and Rep. Rashida Tlaib were the only two representatives who voted against a bill barring Hamas terrorists from entering the United States.
The bill expanded the ban on Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) officers to include all PLO members and barred Hamas members and other participants in the Oct. 7 attack from the U.S.
While 422 members of the House voted to pass the bill, three far-left members voted either against the bill or voted present.
“Any alien who carried out, participated in, planned, financed, afforded material support to, or otherwise facilitated any of the attacks against Israel initiated by Hamas beginning on October 7, 2023, is inadmissible,” the bill read.
Tlaib and Bush criticized the bill, calling it unnecessary and redundant with existing federal law, and accused it of inciting hatred.
“H.R. 6679 is unnecessary because it is redundant with already existing federal law,” Tlaib said.
“It’s just another GOP messaging bill being used to incite anti-Arab, anti-Palestinian, and anti-Muslim hatred that makes communities like ours unsafe,” she said.
Rep. Delia Ramirez voted present, stating that she is “done with political games.”
“I voted present because I am done with political games,” Rep. Ramirez said. “The majority is wasting time bringing a bill that is already current law. There are already no immigration benefits for Hamas terrorists.
“After participating for 15 hours of a sham impeachment, I could not stomach another bill only introduced to score cheap political points, politicize immigration, and divide our communities. Like the Republican’s sham impeachment, this bill does not meaningfully address border security nor further protect our communities. H.R.6679 is unnecessary,” Ramirez said. “It’s a waste of resources and time. And I’m not playing along.”
The representatives’ actions reflect a vocal minority of Democrats critical of Israel in the ongoing conflict.