House Democrats Oppose GOP Resolution Condemning Boulder Attack on Pro-Israel Activists

The House of Representatives voted on a pair of bills aimed at condemning anti-Semitism in the wake of the attack on pro-Israel demonstrators in Boulder, Colorado, with significant political ramifications sparking debate among lawmakers.

The resolution, sponsored by Rep. Gabe Evans, R-Colo., passed 280-113, but over 100 Democrats opposed the bill, with many expressing concerns over its political undertones and the language used to describe the attack. The measure included provisions that criticized illegal immigration and sanctuary jurisdictions, which some Democrats argued could be seen as an attempt to score political points rather than genuinely address the issue of anti-Semitism.

Evans’ bipartisan resolution, which also condemned the attack by an Egyptian national, Mohammed Sabry Soliman, linked the incident to the suspect’s overstaying of a tourist visa. The resolution called for stricter enforcement of immigration laws, arguing that the case demonstrates the dangers of not removing individuals who fail to comply with the terms of their visas. The Trump administration has vowed to deport the suspect and his family from the U.S.

In addition to condemning the Boulder attack, the resolution also emphasized the importance of close collaboration between federal and local law enforcement to enhance public safety and prevent future attacks. The bill expressed gratitude to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel for their role in protecting the homeland and combating threats against national security.

A second, more broadly focused bill led by Reps. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., and Joe Neguse, D-Colo., passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, 400-0, with only two lawmakers voting “present.” This resolution focused solely on addressing the rise in antisemitic attacks across the U.S., and it received significantly more support than Evans’ resolution, reflecting the broader consensus on the importance of combating antisemitism.

Democratic lawmakers, particularly House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., criticized Evans’ resolution as a political maneuver rather than a genuine effort to address anti-Semitism. Jeffries accused the Republican of being “unserious” about combating hate crimes, suggesting that the resolution was more about political posturing than addressing the issue.

Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., who is Jewish, echoed these sentiments, stating that Jewish communities are being used as political pawns, with past resolutions criticized for being more about scoring political points than addressing the real issue. However, Van Drew defended Evans’ resolution, arguing that it addressed a valid concern—not only for Jewish communities but for all innocent victims of violence, including those in law enforcement.

The debate over how to address antisemitism and related issues such as immigration reform continues to highlight the deepening political divides in Congress. While some lawmakers argue that immigration enforcement is essential to preventing violent attacks, others believe that the focus should remain solely on hate crimes and religious intolerance.

As tensions over these issues continue to shape the political landscape, the outcome of these votes underscores the complexity of balancing public safety concerns with the need for inclusive and effective policies that address the root causes of violence and discrimination.