Freshman Dem proposes bill to remove Statue of Liberty in protest of GOP's 'bigoted' immigration law

 Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., was mocked on social media Wednesday after he called on Republicans to pass a bill to remove the Statue of Liberty along with their "radical" immigration legislation.

In a hearing on immigration, the House Oversight and Accountability Committee discussed H.R.2, the House GOP's Secure Border Act, the comprehensive border security and immigration bill passed in May. The bill would restrict the asylum process for people crossing the border and would require construction on the border wall to resume.

The freshman congressman was one of several Democrats who attacked the bill, although he also introduced a mock bill to remove the Statue of Liberty that Republicans could also pass.

“My colleagues from the other side of the aisle, let's be honest with immigrants who deserve better than what you are offering them. If you plan to reject immigrants then don't welcome them. H.R. 2 will continue to push the bill forward, so pass this bill as well. I took the liberty of drafting it for you," Frost said, holding up the draft. "It removes the Statue of Liberty, which "It's our biggest symbol that tells people to come here."

He added, "It is you who are tearing apart the fabric of America. So, I want to know which Republican, who supports and votes for H.R.2, will introduce this bill " "If you're going to support H.R.2 and these radical measures, the least you can do is not be a liar."

Frost's reference to the iconic sculpture was criticized for linking critical immigration reform with the text on the Statue of Liberty.

"This is ridiculous," commented Nile Gardiner, a contributor to The Telegraph.

The left's characterization of the Statue of Liberty as the equivalent of immigration law has been an often ridiculed idea on the right. During the Trump administration, Cabinet members were asked how the president's immigration stances mesh with the symbolic sculpture.

"The Statue of Liberty says, 'Give me your weary, your poor, your multitudes yearning to breathe free.' It doesn't say anything about being able to speak English or be a computer programmer," CNN's Jim Acosta infamously said to then-White House senior adviser Stephen Miller in 2017.

Although Frost attacked Republicans, 14 Democratic lawmakers voted with the GOP to condemn President Biden's border policies. Democrats included Representatives Henry Cuellar, D-Texas; Jared Golden, D-Maine; Mary Peltola, D-Alaska; Mary Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash.; and Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla.