Democrats are right to censure Gosar. But Republican revenge is coming.
Have you ever heard the phrase "this is going to hurt me more than it does you?" That's where Democrats find themselves today as they prepare to discipline Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.)
The Dem-controlled House of Representatives will vote today to censure Gosar and strip him of his committee assignments. The congressman has surely earned the rebuke, which comes after he used his social media accounts to share an anime video that depicted him killing Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and physically attacking President Biden. Republicans have failed to discipline Gosar — who routinely pals around with white nationalists — so Democrats are going to do it for them.
The punishment is probably going to hurt Dems more than it does Gosar, however.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In all likelihood, Democrats won't hold a House majority much longer — they're probably going to get wiped out by Republicans in next year's midterms. When that happens, GOP leaders will be looking for revenge. Punchbowl News reports that Republican lawmakers are already talking about targeting Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) for removal from their committees.
This shouldn't be a surprise: Such punishments used to be relatively rare in Congress, but today's vote will be the second time the mechanism has been used just this year. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) lost her committee assignments in February based on her past violent and anti-Semitic public comments. That's probably a sign of how extreme the Republican Party has become, but GOP leaders will argue instead that Democrats have set a precedent by "weaponizing" the process.
What's more, if committee-stripping becomes routine in Congress, Democrats will pay disproportionately because they care more about actually governing. With former President Donald Trump as their example, Republicans are increasingly more interested in putting on a show. Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.) notably built his staff "around comms rather than legislation," a choice to maximize his chances to get on Fox News rather than do actual work. Greene doesn't seem to have been hurt by her punishment; it just freed her up to raise money and draw attention to herself by accosting prominent Democrats in Capitol hallways. For some GOP members of Congress, being freed of job duties might not actually be a punishment.
All of this means Democrats have a choice between taking the pain that is surely coming, or standing aside and doing nothing while members like Gosar promote violence against their colleagues. They're doing the right thing, but it will come with a cost. These days, it often seems like there are no good choices left.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Joel Mathis is a writer with 30 years of newspaper and online journalism experience. His work also regularly appears in National Geographic and The Kansas City Star. His awards include best online commentary at the Online News Association and (twice) at the City and Regional Magazine Association.
-
The Pentagon faces an uncertain future with Trump
Talking Point The president-elect has nominated conservative commentator Pete Hegseth to lead the Defense Department
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
This is what you should know about State Department travel advisories and warnings
In Depth Stay safe on your international adventures
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
'All Tyson-Paul promised was spectacle and, in the end, that's all we got'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The Pentagon faces an uncertain future with Trump
Talking Point The president-elect has nominated conservative commentator Pete Hegseth to lead the Defense Department
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Should Sonia Sotomayor retire from the Supreme Court?
Talking Points Democrats worry about repeating the history of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Senate GOP selects Thune, House GOP keeps Johnson
Speed Read John Thune will replace Mitch McConnell as Senate majority leader, and Mike Johnson will remain House speaker in Congress
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
US election: who the billionaires are backing
The Explainer More have endorsed Kamala Harris than Donald Trump, but among the 'ultra-rich' the split is more even
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Donald Trump and the fascism debate
Talking Points Democrats sound the alarm, but Republicans say 'it's always the F-word'
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Would Trump really use the military against Americans?
Talking Points The former president says troops could be used against 'enemy within'
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Trump blames migrants for the housing crisis. Experts aren't so sure.
Talking Points Migrants need housing. They also build it.
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published