53 House Democrats Refuse To Label Iran ‘State Sponsor of Terrorism’

Several Democrats voted against a nonbinding resolution in the House that reaffirms Iran as the “largest state sponsor of terrorism.” The resolution, introduced by Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., was approved by a vote of 372 to 53 on Thursday, with all dissenting votes coming from Democrats. Additionally, two Democrats voted “present.”

All members of the “Squad” voted against the measure, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), and Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Fox News reported.

The resolution said the Islamic Republic of Iran “remains the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism and provides substantial financial and military support to groups including Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis.”

It added that Iran “poses a direct and persistent threat to the United States and is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American citizens,” citing the Pentagon as saying that “Iranian-backed proxy militias are responsible for the deaths of at least 603 U.S. service members in Iraq — roughly one in every six American combat fatalities.”

It also said, “according to the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafeal Grossi, Iran has amassed a large stockpile of enriched uranium and continues to block access to undeclared sites in Iran affiliated with their ‘big, ambitious nuclear weapons program.’”

The resolution then concludes: “That the House of Representatives declares it is the policy of the United States… that Iran continues to be the largest state sponsor of terrorism.”

The Democrats who voted against the measure made excuses for their lack of support with most, of course, blaming President Trump.

California Democratic Rep. Lateefah Simon claimed the resolution “contains inaccuracies and is designed to justify the President’s actions in Iran.”

“Republicans in Congress are not only surrendering their constitutional duties – they are also playing politics with a resolution reaffirming Iran as a leading state sponsor of terrorism,” Simon wrote on Facebook. “That is already U.S. policy.”

“I have been clear about my opposition to the brutal and devastating actions of the Iranian regime against those protesting for freedom,” Simon continued. “This resolution does nothing to advance their freedom and instead, puts Congress on record as giving the Administration further pretext for a war that should not have been started in the first place.”

Rep. Julie Fedorchak, R-N.D., who voted in favor of the resolution, told Fox in a statement that, “This week’s bipartisan classified briefing with Marco Rubio, Pete Hegseth, John Ratcliffe, and General Dan Caine underscored the significance of the threat we face from an Iran intent on developing nuclear weapons behind a curtain of impenetrable ballistic weapons.”

“Standing with our allies and confronting state-sponsored terrorism is essential to protecting Americans and advancing stability around the world,” she added. “This resolution sends a strong message that we will not ignore or excuse the regime’s extremist actions.”

Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), who voted in favor of the resolution, said in a statement: “I agree with the principal assertion of this resolution that Iran is a bad actor.

“Iran’s malign and destabilizing actions in the region and treatment of its own citizens should be denounced. I have never contested this. What I do contest is that going to war is the reasonable response to this assertion,” he continued. “I support this resolution. I do not support the president’s war of choice with Iran.”

The Democrats who voted no: