Unidentified speaker criticizes xenophobic questioning of witnesses at hearing
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Summary
An unidentified speaker told a hearing that earlier questioning had veered into xenophobia, citing examples such as asking Somali witnesses whether they "vote for Democrats" and comparing groups including Jews and Latinos, and urged members to keep proceedings nonpartisan and objective.
An unidentified speaker told the chair that some earlier questions in the hearing amounted to xenophobia and risked undermining the proceeding's credibility. The speaker said asking witnesses about their opinions of Somalis and whether ‘‘they vote for Democrats’’ or ‘‘just give money to Democrats’’ amounted to inappropriate, partisan framing.
The speaker listed examples they said had been posed to witnesses: ‘‘Do you think they vote for Democrats? Do you think they just give money to Democrats? What is your opinion of Somalians? What is your opinion of Jews? What is your opinion of black people? What is your opinion of Latinos?’’ The speaker said such lines of questioning create a ‘‘slippery slope’’ and damage public trust in the body's ability to conduct its work impartially.
Referencing an earlier comment, the speaker said ‘‘the gentleman from California’’ had urged keeping the discussion nonpartisan and avoiding subjective framing. The speaker argued that returning repeatedly to questions that single out groups by background or presumed partisan affiliation makes it harder for the body to focus on its substantive duties.
The speaker concluded their remarks and yielded back to the chair. No motions, votes, or formal outcomes were recorded in this segment of the hearing.