During his weekly press conference in Washington, DC on March 6, 2025, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) addressed a proposal by Rep. Andy Ogles that aims to remove certain Democrats from their committee assignments. Jeffries criticized Ogles, labeling him as “a fraud” and expressing confidence that the resolution would not gain traction. Jeffries went on to denounce the individuals behind the measure as “malignant clowns,” specifically targeting what he described as “far-right extremists.”
Ogles, on the other hand, defended his proposal by emphasizing the need for accountability and respect in congressional proceedings. He underscored the importance of maintaining decorum in the House and ensuring that disruptions are not tolerated.
The controversy stemmed from a recent incident where a group of Democrats sang “We Shall Overcome” on the House floor during a vote to censure Democratic Rep. Al Green. While Ogles seeks to identify and remove these Democrats from their committee assignments, House Speaker Mike Johnson indicated that the matter will be further addressed in the coming week.
CNN has sought a response from Ogles’ office regarding Jeffries’ criticisms and the ongoing debate surrounding committee assignments.
In a statement on social media, Ogles stressed the necessity of accountability and condemned what he described as “petty, juvenile stunts” in the halls of government. The censure of Rep. Green, which saw bipartisan support, has added fuel to the political tensions within the House of Representatives.
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