On Feb. 4 the House Judiciary Committee discussed the rules for the current committee meeting, and Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who represents Florida, requested to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of each Judiciary Committee meeting, a request that Judiciary Committee Chairman Democrat Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) denied.
Gates tweeted the video, which has already attracted 430,000 views.
In the video, Gates said, “Welcome to the new members of the committee. I am pleased to join this august committee again, and I understand and appreciate the importance of our work. In the spirit of national unity and national pride, it is a good thing that we all aspire to do. I suggest that at the beginning of each meeting, the chair or the chair’s designee could lead the legislators in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.”
Gates concluded, “We all know that in this day and age, it is important for all of America to see that members of Congress are united on certain matters. In committee, we can have our differences, but I hope that we can start every meeting with a great moment of unity and patriotism.”
???? HAPPENING NOW:@RepMattGaetz just requested that the Judiciary Committee recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of each @RepJerryNadler said it was “unnecessary.”
Why don’t Democrats want to say the Pledge? pic.twitter.com/RMdbg5TAMU
- House Judiciary GOP (@JudiciaryGOP) February 4,2021
Nadler, from New York State, responded, “I admit I oppose this amendment. This amendment is not necessary.” Rep. Cori Bush, a black Democrat, gave the reason that it is a “symbol of white supremacy” and said it would reinforce racism.
Gates argued that such divisive rhetoric from House Democrats does not help promote unity.
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