Washington, D.C. - June 10, 2026

House Rules Rep. Max Miller’s Remarks on Rep. Rashida Tlaib Out of Order During Lebanon Debate

The House of Representatives paused its proceedings Wednesday to invoke a rarely used parliamentary procedure after Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) accused Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) of associating with Hezbollah and advocating for terrorists during debate on a war powers resolution concerning Lebanon.

Miller, who is Jewish, directly challenged Tlaib after she described Israel as an “apartheid regime” whose military was committing “war crimes” using American tax dollars and targeting journalists.

Miller stated on the floor:

“Its members are butchers that you like to hang out with to a certain extent.”

When Tlaib reacted, Miller continued:

“Yes, you advocate for terrorists on a daily basis. You advocate for a terrorist regime every single day.”

He later added:

“Oh, I’m sorry. Are we getting a little emotional?”

Tlaib invoked the House procedure to have Miller’s words “taken down,” prompting a review by the presiding officer, Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.).

After an hour-long pause for review, Obernolte ruled that Miller’s remarks impugned Tlaib’s patriotism and loyalty and were not in order. The comments were stricken from the record, and Miller was barred from speaking on the House floor for the remainder of the day.

Miller refused to apologize or withdraw his statements.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast (R-Fla.) later told the chamber that Miller stood by his remarks, stating through Mast:

“Yes, I said it. I own it. And I stand by it.”

Mast also sought unanimous consent to enter into the Congressional Record an article titled “Rashida Tlaib, member of a secret Facebook Group where Hamas Terrorists glorified” and a transcript of Tlaib allegedly discussing genocide. Tlaib objected to both requests.

The episode highlighted deep divisions over U.S. policy toward Israel and Lebanon, as well as the limits of House rules regarding personal attacks during floor debate. Tlaib, one of two Muslim women in Congress and a Palestinian-American, has frequently criticized Israeli actions in the region.