Staff Reports
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) is standing firm against requests from three fresh Democratic House members to retract a satirical press release suggesting they support Hamas. The NRCC received cease and desist letters from the Elias Law Group representing Reps. Andrea Salinas (D-OR) and Gabe Vasquez (D-NM) and from Olson Remcho LLP representing Rep. Yadira Caraveo (D-CO).
The Democratic letters argue that the members have “never uttered the phrase, ‘I support Hamas.’” Additionally, the NRCC defended its use of quotation marks, stating that they were used ironically and in line with style guide instructions.
@NRCC rejects cease-and-desist letters from Democrats over ‘I support Hamas’ emails https://t.co/oAgwd2LZDN via @dcexaminer
— 🌴PalmTreePatriot🌴 (@FLMomNYGirl) May 22, 2024
The three House Democrats, who are in their first term in Congress, voted against the Israel Security Assistance Support Act and the Israel foreign aid package. They also voted against a resolution condemning antisemitism in the U.S. and abroad. These voting records have led the NRCC to question their support for Israel and their willingness to stand against Hamas.
The NRCC has refused to comply with the demands to retract the press release and issue a correction, claiming that the Democratic lawmakers’ focus on addressing their use of quotation marks is a diversion from explaining their voting records to their constituents. The NRCC remains committed to highlighting the votes of the House Democrats and is unswayed by the legal pressure from the Democratic Party’s legal representatives.
The NRCC has dismissed the demands from the Democratic House members and their legal representatives, emphasizing that their focus remains on criticizing the House Democrats’ votes and highlighting what they perceive as the damaging impact of those votes on U.S. support for Israel.
