REP. BARRAGÁN JOINS RESOLUTION CENSURING PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR RACIST REMARKS
January 18, 2018
Contact: Michael Soneff
(202) 578-0167
Michael.soneff@mail.house.gov
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-San Pedro) helped introduce a resolution today to censure President Donald Trump for his remarks disparaging Haiti and Africa.
The censure condemns President Trump for these hateful, discriminatory, and racist comments, makes clear such ideals cannot and should not guide any American policy, including immigration policy; and calls on President Trump to retract his remarks and apologize for any offense they have caused.
In announcing her co-sponsorship of the resolution, Congresswoman Barragán said, “I called on the President to apologize when his comments were made public, and I am proud to stand with my colleagues in renewing that demand now. President Trump’s racist comments show that his anti-immigrant agenda is driven by racial intolerance and hatred. We cannot tolerate this sort of intolerance.”
The President made his comments during a bipartisan meeting with Congressional leaders at the White House to discuss legislation on immigration. During the closed-door portion of the meeting, President Trump:
- Questioned whether Haitians needed to be included in the compromise, asking “Haitians, why do we need more Haitians? Take them out;”
- Referred to African countries as “shitholes” or “shithouses;” and
- Suggested that instead of accepting immigrants from Haiti and Africa, the United States should instead allow more immigration from countries like Norway.
“The President has a long history of making racially intolerant and offensive statements,” said Congresswoman Barragán. “These latest racist comments were made in the White House, to Congressional leaders, during a formal negotiation. I do not take this historic action lightly, but Congress cannot remain silent in the face of hatred.”
The resolution is being sponsored by Rep. Cedric Richmond and Rep. Jerrold Nadler. The full text of the resolution can be found here. Recently Rep. Barragan voted to advance impeachment proceedings against the President.
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Nanette Díaz Barragán is proud to represent California’s 44th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Carson, Compton, Lynwood, North Long Beach, Rancho Dominguez, San Pedro, South Gate, Walnut Park, Watts, Willowbrook and Wilmington.