What Rashida Tlaib Means and Why It Matters

Last night, Congress did the right thing on a controversial topic: the House voted to censure Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib for, among other transgressions, repeatedly calling for the destruction of the Jewish state using an explicitly and famously genocidal slogan.
It was controversial because the combination of partisan loyalty and personal interest means members of Congress rarely censure their colleagues. Censure is the most serious reprimand shy of expulsion from the House, and Tlaib’s genocidal incitement, cheering on the violent designs of those already attempting to carry out their murderous aims, certainly earned it. Her behavior was so unbecoming a member of Congress (or, one might be tempted to add, a member of society) that 22 Democrats joined most Republicans in voting in favor of her censure.