Rep. Burchett vows to block NY socialist from Congress over flag remark

Republican Representative Tim Burchett of Tennessee intends to introduce a procedural motion at the opening of the new Congress to stop Democratic nominee Darializa Avila Chevalier from taking her seat, should she win the November 3 election. Burchett cited Chevalier’s 2019 Twitter post in which she said she used the American flag as a napkin, calling the act an affront to the flag that his family members fought for in World War II.

He said the move would require a simple majority and would be pursued whether Republicans retain or lose the House majority. Chevalier, who defeated Rep. Adriano Espaillat in the primary, later deleted the tweet and expressed regret, but her record also includes other controversial statements. Experts point out that contested elections have been uncommon for decades and could stall the House’s agenda. The effort revives historic disputes over seating members and highlights the growing partisan tension as left-wing candidates prepare to shift the Democratic caucus further left.