Posted on 12/31/2014 9:33:14 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-La.) said Wednesday that House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) needs to respond with "more than words" to a controversy over a speech he gave to a white supremacist group in 2002.
Jackson Lee, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, implied that she doubted her fellow Louisiana lawmaker's explanation, that he did not know the views of the European-American Unity and Rights Organization, which was founded by well-known former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke.
"This was not 50 years ago, it was 12 years ago, and every member knows what David Duke stands for, and any organization that was affiliated at that time with David Duke is obviously the Ku Klux Klan," Jackson Lee said on MSNBC's "NewsNation." "And we know what the Ku Klux Klan stands for, for hate, for the killing of Jews and Catholics and African-Americans and anyone that they disagree with, even today.
"So I’m enormously disappointed, and I frankly believe that it is important for further statements to come from the whip," she added.
Scalise added in a statement on Tuesday that the appearance was "a mistake I regret."
Echoing a statement from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's (D-Calif.) spokesman Drew Hammill on Tuesday, Jackson Lee called for policy action.
"Why doesn’t he take the leadership in reauthorizing the voting rights act in a bipartisan manner, or moving forward on criminal justice reform, or even working to pass immigration reform," Jackson Lee said. "I think it’s got to be more than words, it’s got to be action."
Jackson Lee's comments contrast with those of Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.), another Black Caucus member who is also from Scalise's home state.
“I don't think Steve Scalise has a racist bone in his body," Richmond told the New Orleans Times-Picayune in crucial early backing for Scalise.
Jackson Lee said Republicans have a long way to go.
"I think the Republican leadership, the Republicans in the House and the Senate, have a huge mountain to climb," she said. "Because it was not in the dark ages that he made this speech, it was just a few years ago."
I don't know which forbidden word to which you refer ...freedom...liberty...integrity...patriotism???
David Duke (Democrat), ex-KKKer, warns GOP: Back Steve Scalise, or I’ll name names
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/dec/31/david-duke-ex-kkker-gop-back-steve-scalise-or-else/
Slate Discovers Scalise Did Not Attend White Supremacist Event
she’s considered the “best and brightest” of her district by the people in that district.
Is has to be propaganda put out by the rabid dems. Sad to
say her dist is all in for her. Sharpton follower.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.