Bob Brigham
April 16, 2021
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's Facebook
Controversial Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) is once again back in the news.
"A nascent 'America First Caucus' in Congress linked to Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) has been distributing materials calling for a 'common respect for uniquely Anglo-Saxon political traditions' and a return to architectural style that 'befits the progeny of European architecture.' Reps. Barry Moore (R-Ala.) and Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) have also agreed to join the group," Punchbowl News reported Friday, citing an email invitation it obtained.
"We've been covering Congress for a long time, and this is some of the most nakedly nativist rhetoric we've ever seen," Punchbowl noted.
Punchbowl cited some of the "eye-popping" sections of the group's literature.
"America is a nation with a border, and a culture, strengthened by a common respect for uniquely Anglo-Saxon political traditions," the group argued. "History has shown that societal trust and political unity are threatened when foreign citizens are imported en-masse into a country, particularly without institutional support for assimilation and an expansive welfare state to bail them out should they fail to contribute positively to the country."
Bob Brigham
April 16, 2021
Republican leadership engaged in damage control on Friday after some of the most extreme members of the House of Representatives formed a new caucus to support Angelo-Saxon heritage.
The caucus -- which has the support of Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Matt Gaetz (R-FL) -- has been panned as a "White Nationalism Caucus."
GOP leadership scrambled to claim that the party once led by Donald Trump is not racist.
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"America is built on the idea that we are all created equal and success is earned through honest, hard work. It isn't built on identity, race, or religion. The Republican Party is the party of Lincoln & the party of more opportunity for all Americans—not nativist dog whistles," House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) tweeted.
House Republican Conference Chair Liz Cheney (R-WY) also attempted to clean up the mess.
"Republicans believe in equal opportunity, freedom, and justice for all. We teach our children the values of tolerance, decency and moral courage. Racism, nativism, and anti-Semitism are evil. History teaches we all have an obligation to confront & reject such malicious hate," Cheney urged.
Group promoting ‘Anglo-Saxon’ traditions criticised by senior Republicans
Hard-right House Republicans were discussing forming an America First Caucus, which one document described as championing “Anglo-Saxon political traditions” and warning that mass immigration was putting the “unique identity” of the US at risk.
The proposal was first reported by Punchbowl News, a news outlet covering Capitol Hill.
The document was being circulated as the Republicans struggle to determine a clear direction as it prepares to try winning back control of the House and Senate in the 2022 elections.
Among the party’s divisions are how closely to tack behind Donald Trump, and the caucus’ seven-page policy platform clearly embraces the former president’s world view.
“The America First Caucus (AFC) exists to promote Congressional policies that are to the long-term benefit of the American nation,” it begins.
It says the group aims to “follow in President Trump’s footsteps, and potentially step on some toes and sacrifice sacred cows for the good of the American nation”.
The group calls for limiting legal immigration “to those that can contribute not only economically, but have demonstrated respect for this nation’s culture and rule of law”.
It voices support for infrastructure “that reflects the architectural, engineering and aesthetic value that befits the progeny of European architecture”.
In a striking criticism, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy issued a tweet that an aide confirmed was aimed at the group.
“America is built on the idea that we are all created equal and success is earned through honest, hard work.
“It isn’t built on identity, race, or religion,” Mr McCarthy wrote.
“The Republican Party is the party of Lincoln & the party of more opportunity for all Americans—not nativist dog whistles.”
Liz Cheney, who represents Wyoming, tweeted: “We teach our children the values of tolerance, decency and moral courage.
“Racism, nativism, and anti-Semitism are evil.
“History teaches we all have an obligation to confront & reject such malicious hate.”
Ms Cheney voted to impeach Mr Trump in January and has been under fire from some of the party’s most far-right politicians and the former president.
Republican lawmakers Marjorie Taylor Greene and Paul Gosar are involved in the caucus, Representative Louie Gohmert, who is considering joining, confirmed to reporters.
Jerusalem Post
APRIL 18, 2021
The US Capitol building, which contains the House of Representatives and the Senate.
(photo credit: PIXABAY)
Conservative House of Representatives Republicans plan to form an "America First" caucus to promote the policies of ex-President Donald Trump and said on Friday the group would soon release a policy platform.
The platform promotes "a common respect for uniquely Anglo-Saxon political traditions" and advocates for infrastructure with esthetic value that "befits the progeny of European architecture," Punchbowl News reported on Friday.
Republican lawmakers Marjorie Taylor Greene and Paul Gosar are involved in the caucus, Representative Louie Gohmert, who is considering joining, confirmed to reporters.
A spokesman for first-term congresswoman Greene, Nick Dyer, dismissed the Punchbowl report as "gossip" but said in a statement that the America First platform would be "announced to the public very soon."
Congressional caucuses provide a forum for like-minded lawmakers to pursue common legislative objectives.
Democrats including Representative Peter Welch denounced the caucus on Twitter as "nakedly racist and disgusting."
"This supposed caucus and its members represent a dangerous nativist perspective that hurts our country, but sadly is not surprising," Welch added. Representative Don Beyer referred to the group as the "White Supremacist Caucus" on Twitter.
Trump introduced his America First agenda at his inauguration in 2017 and made it a repeated theme of his presidency.
Gohmert, a Trump ally, told reporters the caucus aims "to get our own country in order, so it's sustainable."
Congressman Matt Gaetz, who is being investigated by the Justice Department and the House Ethics panel over allegations of sexual misconduct, said he was becoming part of the caucus.
The group would push to "end wars, stop illegal immigration & promote trade that is fair to American workers," he said.
Gaetz has not been charged with any crimes and has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.
Gohmert denied the America First Caucus involves race.
"It's not returning to Anglo-Saxon tradition," the Texas Republican said. "It's not supposed to be about race at all. We're stronger, you know, diversified. But there's some things that helped make us strong."
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