The Texas GOP rejected a proposal that would have ban members from associating with Nazi sympathizers and Holocaust deniers.
The Texas GOP’s executive committee voted 32-29 on Saturday to remove the clause from a pro-Israel resolution that would have barred Texas Republicans from associating with people who “espouse or tolerate antisemitism, pro-Nazi sympathies or Holocaust denial,” according to the Texas Tribune.
Some members reportedly argued that words like “antisemitism” and “tolerate” were too vague and could create problems for the party in the future.
“It could put you on a slippery slope,” committee member Dan Tully said.
The ban was proposed after influential conservative activist and fundraiser Jonathan Stickland hosted an event for prominent white supremacist Nick Fuentes in October.
Dade Phelan, the Republican speaker of the House in Texas condemned the vote, calling it “despicable.”
“[Texas GOP] can’t even bring themselves to denounce neo-Nazis and Holocaust deniers or cut ties with their top donor who brought them to the dance,” he added. “There is a moral, anti-Semitic rot festering within the fringes of BOTH parties that must be stopped.”
