US Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) is surrounded by fellow members as he speaks to reporters after securing the nomination for House Speaker from the Republican conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, US, Oct. 24, 2023. Photo: REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Newly elected US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) moved quickly to enact a House resolution condemning Hamas and supporting Israel in the first vote of his term.

Titled “Standing with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists,” the bipartisan resolution introduced by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-NY) passed 412-10, with 6 members voting “Present.”

A similar resolution passed the Senate last week by a 97-0 margin.

Those voting “Present” on Wednesday included progressive lawmakers who had originally co-sponsored the bill but now support a ceasefire to the Israel-Hamas war, including the chair of the Progressive Caucus, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-CA).

“In the 14 days since the resolution was introduced, Israel’s bombings of Gaza have killed more than 5,800 Palestinians, almost half of whom are children,” Jayapal said, citing statistics from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry. “I am voting present to be clear that while I still condemn Hamas’ attacks and the pain and suffering of the Jewish people everywhere, I also condemn the violations of international humanitarian law by Israel and the pain and suffering of Palestinian people everywhere that are not recognized anywhere in this resolution.”

The 10 “Nay” votes came mostly from members of the so-called “Squad” of far left Democrats who are among the most vociferous critics of Israel in Congress, including Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Cori Bush (D-MO), and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY.) The lone Republican “Nay” vote came from Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), a libertarian who routinely votes against foreign policy legislation.

In her statement explaining her no vote, Tlaib blamed US support for Israel for failing to bring peace to the region.

“This resolution is not a serious examination of the root causes of the violence we are witnessing and doubles down on decades of failed policy,” Tlaib said. “Achieving a just and lasting peace where Israelis and Palestinians have equal rights and freedoms, and where no person lives in fear for their safety, requires ending the blockade, occupation, and dehumanizing system of apartheid.”

On Thursday, Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Green (R-GA) introduced a resolution in the House to censure Tlaib for her “antisemitic activity, sympathizing with terrorist organizations, and leading an insurrection at the United States Capitol Complex.” Tlaib on Oct. 18 addressed protesters at a pro-Palestinian rally on the same day that pro-Palestinian demonstrators held an illegal protest in one of the congressional House office buildings, resulting in more than 300 arrests. Taylor-Green has described that illegal protest as an “insurrection,” comparing it to the Jan. 6, 2021 storming of the US Capitol.

At press time, Taylor-Green’s resolution had been introduced on the floor of the House but not yet voted on.