Rashida Tlaib

WASHINGTON — Rep. Max Miller had his words stricken from the House record Wednesday and was barred from speaking on the floor after the Bay Village Republican accused Michigan Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib of associating with terrorists during a debate over a resolution to withdraw U.S. troops from Lebanon.

Miller, who is Jewish and an ardent backer of Israel, told Tlaib during floor debate that “its members are butchers that you like to hang out with to a certain extent” — referring to Hezbollah — and then said directly to Tlaib: “Yes, you advocate for terrorists on a daily basis. You advocate for a terrorist regime every single day.”

Tlaib, the only Palestinian American member of Congress, immediately moved to have Miller’s words taken down, saying “that is a direct attack on my character.”

After Miller made the remarks, he said to Tlaib: “I’m sorry. Are we getting a little emotional?”

GOP Rep. Jay Obernolte of California, who was presiding over the chamber, consulted with the parliamentarian and ruled after a long delay that Miller’s words “contain an allegation that the gentleman from Michigan is a butcher and affiliated with a terrorist organization” and that “such remarks impugn the patriotism and loyalty of the member of the House, which is not in order.”

Miller’s words were stricken from the record and he was prohibited from speaking on the floor for the remainder of the day.

Miller was unapologetic. House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Brian Mast of Florida, who was managing the Republican side of the debate, read a statement from Miller on the House floor: “Yes, I said it. I own it. I stand by it.”

Afterwards, Miller posted on social media: “My words may have been removed from the record, but Talib should be removed from Congress,” misspelling Tlaib’s name.

The confrontation was the latest chapter in a long-running feud between Miller and Tlaib over Israel. In November 2023, Miller introduced a resolution to censure Tlaib, saying “I firmly believe it is beyond time for Representative Tlaib to condemn antisemitism in all forms and face censure for her previous hate-filled rhetoric that has perpetuated hate towards people of Jewish faith and heritage.”

That same month, the House voted 234-188 to censure Tlaib on a resolution introduced by Rep. Rich McCormick of Georgia.

Miller also previously introduced a legislative amendment that would have banned congressional offices from spending tax dollars on non-U.S. flags, a move he said was directly prompted by Tlaib flying a Palestinian flag outside her office.

“The halls of Congress belong to America,” Miller said at the time. “They should be reserved for flags that embody our great nation.” Earlier in 2023, Miller successfully pushed to remove Tlaib’s close ally, Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, from the House Foreign Affairs Committee over remarks he viewed as antisemitic.

Wednesday’s clash arose during House floor debate on a resolution by Tlaib that would direct the president to withdraw U.S. armed forces from Lebanon under the War Powers Act. Tlaib argued that the Trump administration has been “illegally” participating in Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon by providing intelligence, coordinating strikes and approving specific Israeli military operations — and that Congress must reassert its constitutional authority.

“This is not national security, Mr. Speaker,” Tlaib said on the floor. “This is an ethnic cleansing campaign.”

Miller has been in the news recently because of a contentious legal battle with this ex-wife, who has accused him of abuse.

Before his remarks ran afoul of House rules, Miller argued that the U.S. is playing “a vital role in advancing peace, security, and stability in Lebanon” and that the real threat to Lebanon is “the Iranian regime and its terrorist proxy Hezbollah, not the United States, and not Israel.”

Miller said that if Tlaib and her allies on the resolution “actually cared about the people of Lebanon,” they would “cheer on the elimination of these bloodthirsty terrorists,” instead of “advancing meaningless resolutions to denigrate American foreign policy.”

Mast argued the resolution was “reckless and unserious” because the United States has no combat forces engaged in hostilities in Lebanon. “You’re asking to remove U.S. troops in a country where we are not in conflict,” Mast said. “I urge my colleagues to vote against this bill and not be a proxy for Hezbollah.”

A vote on Tlaib’s resolution was expected as early as Thursday.