Oversight Committee chairman James Comer got into a screaming match with Democratic Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley Wednesday as he denied her request for unanimous consent to enter articles into the congressional record.
During the Oversight Committee’s hearing on sanctuary city policies, Pressley requested to submit several articles into the record, including one from 2018 stating that American citizens commit more murder and rape than in the U.S. than immigrants. The moment prompted Comer to say the committee will “not put up” with her behavior or any of the Democrats’ alleged attempts to intentionally get thrown out.
“I’d like to seek unanimous consent to submit into the record this article and I’ll do this as a survivor of sexual violence myself. This is from courts, March 2018 … Data from Texas shows that U.S.-born Americans commit more rape and murder than immigrants,” Pressley said.
“Okay, this trend that you’re all trying to get thrown out of committees so you can get on MSNBC is gonna end,” Comer interjected. “We’re not gonna put up with it.”
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While raising her voice, Pressley demanded that her time be reclaimed to submit her articles and reminded the committee that she is a victim of “sexual violence.”
“This is my procedural right as a member of this committee to enter documents into the record. I will reclaim my time. You do not get to dictate how I recite the articles for the record,” Pressley shouted as Comer continued to object. “And I take particular umbrage as a survivor of sexual violence, I will enter into the record this is my right. Thank you.”
“No, no,” Comer said. “It is [Democratic Virginia Rep. Suhas] Subramanyam’s time. No, you know the process of unanimous consent, you’re not recognized.”
Democratic mayors Michelle Wu of Boston, Eric Adams of New York City, Brandon Johnson of Chicago and Mike Johnston of Denver testified before the Oversight Committee over the cities’ long-standing sanctuary statuses and whether they plan to comply with President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration. Over 20,000 illegal immigrants were arrested in a single month since Trump began his second term on Jan. 20, a 627% increase in monthly arrests compared to former President Joe Biden’s administration, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced in February.
The mayors present at the hearing, with the exception of Adams, have threatened to not comply with the Trump administration’s immigration and deportation rules. Border czar Tom Homan told Fox News’ Sean Hannity that Johnston could “go to jail” if he attempted to prevent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from deporting illegal immigrants in his city, though Johnston has since backtracked those threats.
Homan said in February that nine illegal immigrants arrested for child rape in Massachusetts were released back into the street rather than being turned over to ICE. Under his watch, ICE arrested several illegal immigrants who had committed heinous crimes in Massachusetts, including a Haitian gang member with 17 prior convictions.
Since Trump took office, ICE has arrested hundreds of illegal immigrants convicted for rape and sex-related offenses, announcing in February that the agency arrested 275 illegal immigrants with “sex offense convictions” between Feb. 5-16. Illegal immigrants raped and murdered 37-year-old mother Rachel Morin and 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray during Biden’s final year in office, which became high profile stories ahead of the 2024 election.
Trump officially renamed the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge to honor Nungaray due to her love of animals during Tuesday’s congressional address.
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