Southern Illinois Rep. Mary Miller targeted for censure
January 19, 2021
Jan Schakowsky, United States Representative for Illinois District 9, plans to introduce a resolution to censure Mary Miller for comments made at a Moms for America rally in Washington, DC the day before the Capitol riots.
Censure can be passed with a simple majority of House members and would force a representative to listen to a statement admonishing them for their actions.
(See more: Gov. JB Pritzker criticizes southern Illinois rep. for ‘Hitler was right about one thing’ speech line)
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“We can’t allow speakers to get up to crowds and preach things that are so detrimental to people of color or Jews or immigrants, and we’ve had enough of that,” Schakowsky said in an interview with ABC7.
Miller, a freshman congresswoman representing Illinois District 15, has been the target of widespread criticism even from members of her own party since giving a speech in which she said: “You know, if we win a few elections, we’re still going to be losing unless we win the hearts of our children. This is the battle. Hitler was right on one thing. He said whoever has the youth has the future.”
Miller gave the speech at a rally organized to encourage people “rising up to save the Republic for our families,” according to the event description on the Moms for America Facebook page.
Miller released a press statement on Jan. 8 which included an apology for her speech:
“Earlier this week, I spoke to a group of mothers about the importance of faith and guarding our youth from destructive influences. I sincerely apologize for any harm my words caused and regret using a reference to one of the most evil dictators in history to illustrate the dangers that outside influences can have on our youth. This dark history should never be repeated and parents should be proactive to instill what is good, true, right, and noble into their children’s hearts and minds. While some are trying to intentionally twist my words to mean something antithetical to my beliefs, let me be clear: I’m passionately pro-Israel and I will always be a strong advocate and ally of the Jewish community. I’ve been in discussion with Jewish leaders across the country and am grateful to them for their kindness and forthrightness.”
Miller was part of a coalition of Republicans that called the validity of the 2020 presidential election results into question, and joined 139 members in the House to vote against certifying the results.
Mike Bost, who represents Illinois District 12, and Miller were the only representatives from Illinois who voted against certification.
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“Many Americans have lost confidence in the fairness of our electoral system. By objecting to certain electors on Wednesday, I hope my colleagues and I send a message to those men and women that we will not sit idly by while our Constitution is trampled on,” Miller said, according to a Jan. 5 press release.
House Democrats are pointing to that rhetoric and other actions by Republicans as grounds for disciplinary action.
“We must hold these Republicans accountable for their role in this insurrection at our nation’s Capitol as part of a racist attempt to overturn the election results,” Rep. Cori Bush said according to a Jan. 11 press release.
Bush introduced House Resolution 25 to investigate and potentially expel members of the House that, “sought to overturn the 2020 Presidential election.”
The bill has since been co-sponsored by fifty four members of the House, including Illinois representatives Danny Davis, Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, Marie Newman, Bobby Rush, and Schakowsky.
Staff reporter Jason Flynn can be reached at Jflynn@dailyegyptian.com or on Twitter at @dejasonflynn. To stay up to date with all your southern Illinois news, follow the Daily Egyptian on Facebook and Twitter
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Susan Allison • Jan 29, 2021 at 7:35 pm
It is when we forget or bury the horrible truths of the past that we fail to recognize that we are committing the same evil actions. Those who called Mary Miller out for her speech, should read “All the light we cannot see”. Youth are being influenced by many evil thoughts and they need adults guiding them that are aware of how easily and subtly this happens.
Mark Czmyrid • Jan 19, 2021 at 2:49 pm
Here’s a thought former Saluki grads life alumni members let’s find some great candidates from SIU who SIU grads to defeat Boston Mary Miller and you know Mike boss isn’t that bad but hopefully once Donald Trump leaves office Mike boss will get back to being for the for all for all illinoisans for all members of the southern Illinois district that he represents but as far as these first term Representatives they’ve got a lot to learn perhaps they need to visit the Paul Simon public policy institute or perhaps they need to read the book by the late written by the late congressman Ken Gray and some great SIU alumni because called past the park because obviously these people these these young these young politicians these young they’re not politicians they’re not even you know they’re legislators they need to get back to what it’s all about it’s about helping America so let’s all get together at Saluki Pride SIU Carbondale everyday I’ll tell you what I study more probably than I probably do more than the elected officials to get people to go to SIU Carbondale I’m a proud SIU alumni I love my University so you know I’m not I don’t take a dime for the University but you know what I love SIU I’m proud to say I’m a Saluki grad 24/7 Saluki pride and I’ll tell you what the greatest campaign I ever worked on and I worked out a lot of campaigns in my lifetime but the greatest campaign I worked on was helping to re-elect President Ronald Reagan but more importantly helping to elect probably the greatest United States senator this country ever had in in the late senator Paul Simon thanks for the great memories simonizers they’ll never be another Paul Simon you know Paul Simon said it best in 1984 convention you know I am I’m an I represent America you know he said I’m not a Democrat I’m not a republican I’m an American I’m a United States senator I represent the people of Illinois so to all the elected officials out there remember that when you go to Washington or remember that when you go to Jackson county or Washington county or Jefferson county or Franklin county or Benton county remember that sports fans you represent constituents you don’t represent a party you don’t represent a Democrat or Republican you represent the people that you were elected to represent God bless America and go SIU Carbondale Saluki Pride out long live as fellow salukis and don’t forget the Johnny Logan volunteers I’m also a proud alumni of Johnny Logan Saluki pride and Logan Pride
Michelle Absher • Jan 19, 2021 at 12:21 pm
She should not be censured because in the Constitution under electoral votes She has a right by the Constitution to question electoral votes. Pelosi did in 2016 and this didn’t happen. As a matter of fact the small section of her speech is nothing compared to the ruthless comments of Pelosi against The President of the USA for 4 Years. She should have been removed from her seat for sedition. Her abuse and assault continues against the Republicans in the House. MARY MILLER IS MY REPRESENTATIVE AND SHE WILL NOT BE CENSURED!
Alice Travers • Jan 19, 2021 at 10:28 am
Miller and Bost question the election results for President, but happily accept their own winning results. If we held an election today, they would both lose but Biden would still win. They need to go.