WASHINGTON DC–More than 100 House Democrats recently voted to reject a resolution condemning the June 1 terrorist attack in Boulder that left over a dozen people seriously burned and injured.
The resolution, introduced by Rep. Gabe Evans of Colorado’s 8th Congressional District, condemns the Boulder terrorism as an act of anti-semitic violence, while also calling attention to illegal immigrants who overstay their visas, noting that the attack “demonstrates the dangers of not removing from the country aliens who fail to comply with the terms of their visas.”
Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national in custody and facing an avalanche of charges related to the terrorist attack, was in the country illegally, having overstayed his visa.
Evans’ resolution also resolved that open communication between local and state law enforcement and federal officials is “the bedrock of public safety and is necessary in preventing terrorist attacks.” It goes on to expr4ess gratitude for law enforcement, including ICE agents, for protecting their country.
The resolution passed out of the House 280-113, with 75 Democrats joining Republicans in support and 113 Democrats voting in opposition. Six lawmakers (five Democrats and one Republican) voted “present.”
Some Democrats who opposed Evans’ resolution publicly expressed their anger, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies, D-NY. who called Evans “a joke” and accused him of politically weaponizing antisemitism.
A second resolution was introduced by Rep. Joe Neguse, D-Colo., and Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N. J, who also publicly defended Evans via social media. This resolution more broadly condemned antisemitic attacks throughout the U.S. and gained a 400-0 approval with just two “present” votes.
While Evans said his resolution was not intended to create tension, some opposition Democrats said it was “sheer politics.” Evans formerly served in the U.S. military and as a Colorado police officer, and his obvious respect for law enforcement runs throughout the language of his resolution.
“Unfortunately, that’s something that apparently some of my colleagues from across the aisle in Congress also can’t get behind is the praising of law enforcement for their work at all levels to be able to identify and interdict things like this before they happen again,” Evans said in an 850 KOA radio interview with Ross Kaminsky.
Despite the resolution causing a split among Democrats in the House, Evans says he introduced it to address the attack and prevent it from happening again,
“I did this to solve the problem, and if they (Democrats), can’t get on board with trying to at least talk about policies that solve the problem, they’re the ones that have put themselves in that tough spot by being unable to acknowledge basic policy solutions to prevent something like this from happening again,” Evans told Kaminsky. “They have put themselves in this position with their inability to be able to condemn antisemitism.”
