‘The Squad’ Opposes Amendment Preventing TSA From Hiring Sex Offenders and Terrorists

Jeff Charles reporting for RedState

Just when you thought “the Squad” couldn’t get any more radical, they find a way to descend further into Marxist insanity. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and her comrades, Reps Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MN) opposed the passage of an amendment designed to protect the American people.

The amendment would prevent the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) from hiring individuals who have been convicted of violent crimes, sexual misconduct, or terrorism. Apparently, these lawmakers seem to believe that people who have committed these types of offenses should be in charge of safeguarding traveling Americans.

Imagine being these people.

Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL) proposed the amendment, which also expanded protections for TSA workers during a debate in the House. Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-AZ) urged her colleagues to support the measure. “We have two options today: Adopt the Underwood amendment and keep sexual predators off of the federal payroll, or reject it and reward sexual predators with a paycheck from the taxpayer,” she said.

All four members of the Squad refused to vote on the amendment. Interestingly enough, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also declined to cast her vote on the legislation.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy slammed the Democrats who refused to vote for the amendment and referred to the Squad as the “socialist wing of the party.” Last Thursday, he said, “The amendment was pulled back by leadership because the socialist wing of the party did not want to have that amendment go forward on this bill.”

McCarthy also asserted that the House “would like to see the TSA not hire terrorists or hose who have been convicted of sexual misconduct with minors and others. But the socialist wing of the party, that controls now the Democratic Party, said that could not be offered.”

The amendment was passed by a vote of 227-175 when 42 Democrats joined GOP lawmakers in approving the measure. Neither Pelosi, or any members of the Squad deigned to explain their refusal to vote for the amendment. Rep. Val Demings (D., Fla.) did state that the legislation was “unnecessary.”

Perhaps the reason why the Democrats who opposed the bill are silent on the matter because they know it is indefensible. Maybe they realize that no explanation would be sufficient for traveling Americans and TSA workers who might be subject to ill-treatment by bad actors. Far-left progressives have proven time and time again that they are willing to sacrifice the safety of citizens to pursue their agenda. But really, are any of us surprised?