GOP Rep Seeks To Block Tlaibs Congressional Delegation Trip To West Bank

(Detroit News) Melissa Nann Burke Jan. 17 2019 6:00 Washington  A Republican congressman from Texas wrote Thursday to every Democratic House committee chair seeking to block U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaibs planned delegation trip to the Palestinian territories. The first Palestinian-American woman elected to Congress Tlaib indicated Thursday she has no intention of backing away from plans to lead a delegation of House members to the West Bank. The Detroit Democrats aim is in part to humanize Palestinians and would include a stop in the tiny farming village where her grandmother lives. I look forward to working with leadership and other colleagues to ensure this necessary trip moves forward she said. Rep. Brian Babin R-Texas is concerned such a taxpayer-funded trip would threaten the U.S.-Israeli relationship and wants committee chairs to deny any requests to authorize such a delegation. He targeted committee chairs because theyre responsible for approving official delegations as well as the members who participate in them.