Dems Rally Around Muslim Congressman
Source: TDB/NPR
Top Democrats rallied around Rep. Andre Carson of Indiana, following online criticism that the congressman should not be allowed to sit on the House Intelligence Committee because he is a Muslim. Carson, one of only two Muslims in Congress, was appointed to the panel charged with overseeing the American intelligence community earlier this week.
"I am deeply disturbed that since his appointment to the committee, Congressman Carson has been subject to vicious, anti-Muslim attacks online and in social media, questioning his loyalty to our country solely because of his faith. These un-American and unfounded smears have no place in our national discourse and are contemptible," said Rep. Adam Schiff, the top-ranking Democrat on the committee.
Carson has national security qualifications: he worked full time in law enforcement, and was in the Indiana Department of Homeland Security's anti-terrorism unit.
"We should not tolerate anyone being targeted or denied opportunities because of their religious beliefs," said Rep. Jerrold Nadler, a Democrat from New York.
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http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2015/01/16/dems-rally-around-muslim-congressman.html
Indiana Democrat André Carson Will Become First Muslim on Congressional Intelligence Committee
By Ben Mathis-Lilley
CNN reports that Indiana Rep. André Carson, a Democrat, will become the first Muslim to serve on a congressional intelligence committee. Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi announced the move at a caucus meeting Tuesday, the network says.
Carson represents Indiana’s 7th District, which encompasses much of the city of Indianapolis. He converted to Islam at some point in the late 1990s and succeeded his grandmother, Julia Carson, in Congress by winning a 2008 special election after she died in 2007. He won re-election in 2014 easily with 54.7 percent of the vote to his Republican opponent's 41.8 percent.
The first Muslim to become a congressional representative was Minnesota Democrat Keith Ellison, who won election in 2006 and continues to serve that state’s 5th District, which includes Minneapolis and some of its suburbs. Ellison and Carson are the only Muslims in the House or Senate.
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http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2015/01/13/first_muslim_on_house_intelligence_committee_andre_carso
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026080688