Republican Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massey told a CNN anchor straight up that he had no idea what he was talking about regarding the Israel resolution.
CNN anchor Kate Bolduan questioned Massie's criticism of Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, who accused Massie of being “the most anti-Israel Republican” during Wednesday's primary debate. Massey responded that in Haley's head he was living “rent-free” and with “a lot of free space.”
The lawmaker said Friday that she had not read the bill Haley voted against on Israel and accused her of opposing free speech and favoring all kinds of war. Mr. Bolduan then pointed to the pro-Israel resolution that Mr. Massey voted against. called“Reaffirming the right to exist for the state of Israel,'' “recognizes that Israel's right to exist is a form of anti-Semitism,'' “rejects calls for Israel's destruction,'' and “condemns Hamas-led attacks on Israel.'' ”.
“'Recognize that denying Israel's right to exist is a form of anti-Semitism. You do not support—'
“That's the name of the resolution. Congratulations. You can now read the name of the resolution. I don't vote on the name,” the lawmaker said.
“Oh, Congressman, I don't think you're trying to question my intelligence right now, are you?” Bolduan asked. (Related: Here are the 22 Republicans who voted with Democrats to end Rashida Tlaib's disciplinary action)
“No, I'm just saying you don't have time to prepare like I do,” Massey said.
“You mean the two pages I read and highlighted in two minutes this morning?” Bolduan said. “What is the House of Representatives’ decision?”
“Oh, it took two minutes,” Massey laughed.
“Oh,” she said.
“Good. It took a few minutes and we had 19 resolutions. I know what's in all of them, I studied them,” the congressman continued. “I say on social media that I'm right, but if I had looked into it a little more, I shouldn't have asked if I recognized Israel's right to exist. It's on my social media.”
“I read your social media and I think what this resolution says, it’s worth asking again,” she said.
Massey is the only council member. I voted Although she opposed the resolution, Democratic Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib voted “yes.” The lawmaker aimed to express support for strengthening the Abraham Accords, a 2020 agreement that respects the U.S.-Israel relationship and establishes diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. He joined 18 Democrats who voted against another resolution. according to To The Hill.
Massey said he voted against the resolution because he has voted against foreign aid for the past decade, The Hill reported.
“Ultimately, it made no sense to me to vote for a bill praising foreign aid that I have voted against for the past decade,” he said in a statement.
He was also one of 22 Republicans who voted to defeat a resolution to censure Tlaib for anti-Semitic comments, citing free speech concerns.