House Democrats attempt to halt censorship hearing.

Democrats ⁢Attempt to Shut Down House Hearing on Censorship

Democrats attempted to prematurely shut down a ​House hearing on censorship with⁤ Robert ​F. Kennedy Jr. less than an ‍hour ⁣into ‌the event⁣ on Thursday, claiming that ⁢the⁢ Democratic presidential candidate’s “despicable” comments last weekend about Jews and Chinese people made him unfit⁢ to testify.

Attempt to Silence Kennedy

Rep.‍ Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D., Fla.) introduced a motion to “move into ⁣executive⁣ session” about⁣ 40 minutes into​ the hearing, citing “Kennedy’s despicable anti-Semitic,⁣ anti-Asian comments.” The motion drew support from Democrats—who had signed a letter earlier in ‌the week trying to⁣ get Kennedy’s⁤ invitation to the hearing‍ rescinded—but failed to pass⁤ the Republican-controlled committee.

The hearing, which was‌ convened⁤ by⁣ Republicans to “examine the federal government’s⁣ role in censoring Americans,” comes ‍as Kennedy has ⁢faced days of​ controversy for claiming that COVID-19 was “targeted to attack Caucasians and Black people” and that the “people who‍ are most‌ immune are Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese.”

Kennedy has ​denied ⁤he ⁤is​ anti-Semitic and​ defended his comments, including‌ during his opening remarks​ at Thursday morning’s hearing.

“I have ⁤never uttered‍ a ​phrase ‍that was either racist or ‌anti-Semitic.‌ I have⁢ spent my life fighting, my professional career fighting for Israel,” said Kennedy. “I have a better record ​on Israel than anybody in this​ chamber today.”

Kennedy argued that ​the anti-Semitism accusations ⁢against ‍him, including the letter to prevent ​his testimony that was signed by over 100​ Democrats, were a form of censorship.

“I’m being censored⁢ here,” Kennedy ⁤said. ⁤”I don’t ⁣think there’s a single person⁣ who signed ‌this ​letter who thinks⁤ I’m​ anti-Semitic.”

The⁢ Democratic candidate, who has also been a ‌vocal critic ⁢of COVID vaccines, said descriptions ‌of​ him as “anti-vax” are also ‍an attempt by his opponents to shut down his speech.

“This kind⁤ of ⁢division is more dangerous to our country than any time since the American ⁣Civil War,” ⁤Kennedy said. ⁢”We ​need ⁤to end that polarization. Do you think⁤ you can do that by censoring people? ⁣I’m telling you, ‍you cannot.”

Republicans Highlight‌ the Necessity of the ‍Hearing

Rep. Barry Moore (R.,⁣ Ala.) said the motion from Democrats‌ was evidence of the necessity of the hearing.

“This is a hearing on censorship that began with a motion from the other side of the‍ aisle ‌to censor Mr. Kennedy,” ‌said Moore. “They have kept him from speaking.”