Washington, D.C. (March 6, 2023)—Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, sent a letter to Chairman James Comer urging Committee Republicans to join Committee Democrats in denouncing white nationalism and white supremacy in all its forms, including the “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory, which promotes the idea that non-white immigrants and other racial minorities are being deliberately brought into the United States to “replace” white populations.  The letter follows the Committee’s first hearing on the southern border during which Committee Republicans invoked rhetoric used by white nationalists and white supremacists to describe the number of migrants arriving at the border as an “invasion,” and falsely accused the Biden-Harris Administration of implementing a plan “to deliberately open our border” for purposes of “changing our culture.” 

“As I explained to you at the hearing, such language borrows from the ‘Great Replacement’ theory, the central dogma of contemporary white supremacy that has been repeatedly invoked by white nationalists to justify violent acts of domestic terrorism, including the mass murders of dozens of Americans at a Tops Supermarket in Buffalo, New York, the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and a Walmart in El Paso, Texas,” wrote Ranking Member Raskin.

In June 2022, following the racist mass shooting at the Tops Supermarket in Buffalo, New York, House Democrats called on House Republicans to support H. Res. 1152, a resolution condemning the “Great Replacement” theory and affirming the commitment of Congress to combatting white supremacy.  Despite then-Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s acknowledgment that white supremacy and white nationalism are “definitely not American,” not a single House Republican voted in favor of the resolution.

The Ranking Member emphasized the importance of unequivocally denouncing white nationalism and white supremacy as the Committee moves forward on examining border and immigration policies and looking for commonsense solutions. 

“If Committee Republicans intend to continue examining the southern border and related policies, it is imperative for every member of this Committee to make clear to the American people that we speak with one voice to reject dangerous conspiracy theories and racist and antisemitic ideology in our Committee’s deliberations and decision-making.  I feel certain—and I fervently hope—that you agree,” added Ranking Member Raskin.

In the letter, Ranking Member Raskin requests that Chairman Comer and Committee Republicans join all Committee Democrats in signing a pledge to denounce hateful and dangerous ideologies that have no place in the United States Congress or in the Committee.

“As Chairman, you have another opportunity to take a public stand against the deliberate amplification of dangerous racist rhetoric that has had deadly consequences in this country.  That is why I am renewing my request for you and Committee Republicans to join Committee Democrats in speaking with one voice to forcefully and unequivocally denounce white nationalism and white supremacy, and the use of its central contemporary conspiracy theory, the ‘Great Replacement’ theory,” concluded Ranking Member Raskin.

Click here to read the letter.

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