How Trump's tweets split OK politicians

Oklahoma's congressional representatives voted 4-1 last week on a resolution in the U.S. House to formally condemn tweets made by President Donald Trump that some House members have called “racist.”

On July 14, Trump said via Twitter that “progressive Democrat Congresswomen” should “go back” to their home countries to help “fix” them. It is believed that Trump was speaking about representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Talib, Ilhan Omar, and Ayanna Pressley. All but Omar were born in the U.S.

“So interesting to see “Progressive” Democrat Congresswomen who originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world (if they even have a functioning government at all), now loudly and viciously telling the people of the United States, the greatest and most powerful Nation on earth, how our government is to be run,” Trump said.

“Why don’t they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came. Then come back and show us how it is done. These places need your help badly, you can’t leave fast enough. I’m sure that Nancy Pelosi would be very happy to quickly work out free travel arrangements!”

Two days after Trump's tweet, the House passed Resolution 489. The resolution stated that the House “strongly condemns President Donald Trump’s racist comments that have legitimized and increased fear and hatred of new Americans and people of color.” It also stated that the House “believes that immigrants and their descendants have made America stronger”

HOW DID OKLAHOMA'S DELEGATION VOTE?

Oklahoma's House delegation split over whether to support the resolution. Congresswoman Kendra Horn, the lone Oklahoma Democrat in Congress, voted for the measure. Republican representatives Tom Cole, Frank Lucas, Markwayne Mullin, and Kevin Hern voted against it.

Following the passage of the resolution, four of Oklahoma's representatives made statements in which they expressed their views on the president's tweets. Hern was the only Oklahoma representative who did not issue a statement.

REPRESENTATIVE TOM COLE

“While it is certainly appropriate to be critical of what the president said about four fellow Americans and members of Congress, the political exercise pushed by House Democrats in response is a political double standard,” said Cole. “For anyone who follows debate on the House floor each week, it is known that many Democrats regularly speak in an equally offensive manner toward the president. In fact, Democratic members are frequently admonished by the presiding speaker for violating House rules. This type of political rhetoric needs to stop.

“Unfortunately, H. Res. 489 singles out and condemns the president but ignores the shameful rhetoric on the other side. This is unfair, inappropriate and inconsistent. Just last week, the same people calling President Trump a ‘racist’ were calling Speaker Pelosi a ‘racist.’ Both claims are wrong.

“In the days ahead, I will continue to voice my views forcefully and clearly, but I will neither participate in nor support efforts that use the tools of the House as a one-sided weapon to punish the president while ignoring the reckless rhetoric of so many of his Democratic critics.”

REPRESENTATIVE KENDRA HORN

“Growing up, my parents taught me the importance of the golden rule. Of treating everyone, no matter who they are, with dignity and respect,” Horn said. “That’s what today’s vote was about. I’m troubled on many levels by the tone and tenor of our discourse. And I’m troubled by the remarks of the President, which are below the dignity of the office he holds. As representatives of a diverse nation and communities, this toxic back and forth prevents us from making progress on many critical issues facing our communities. It’s time we hold each other to a higher standard and continue our important work.”


REPRESENTATIVE FRANK LUCAS

Lucas opposed Resolution 489. But in the past year, he has supported two other measures that promote “civility.”

“Twice this past year, I have voted for resolutions in the hope to restore civil discourse and raise the bar of civility on the House Floor. But today, House Democrats voted to overturn House rules, so the Speaker could engage in personality attacks against the President. The use of hateful and insidious rhetoric has become incredibly routine, demeaning the values we’ve set for ourselves as a society.

“I refuse to be a part of an exercise that completely rejects civility in order to score political points. Tonight, I voted against the continuation of such offensive political practices. I believe it’s time that Congress deliver on its promises to the American people and rise above this harmful political rhetoric.”

REPRESENTATIVE MARKWAYNE MULLIN

Mullin did not release an official statement on the vote, instead opting to put a short video on his official Facebook page to express his support of the president.

“Our president isn't always politically correct, and I like that. The fact is, what he says is still meaningful,” Mullin said. “If you don't like the foundation that this country was built upon, then go live underneath the style of country you choose to. If it's socialism, then go live underneath socialism. If it's something else, then go live underneath that. Because the fact of the matter is, if you change the foundation of a building, then the building around it collapses. I for one love the foundation this country was built upon. I support the president 100%.”