(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 Tlaib's 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 Democrat's 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 they're responsible for approving official delegations, as well as the members who participate in them.
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