Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) finished the first daily congressional prayer of the new session with the words "amen and awoman" on Sunday.
"And dare I ask, oh Lord, peace even in this chamber now and evermore," Cleaver said while serving as guest House chaplain. "We ask it in the name of the monotheistic god, Brahma, and god known by many names by many different faiths. Amen and awoman."
Cleaver's ending to the blessing received sharp criticism from some online, primarily among conservatives.
Dems open congress with a prayer that ends “amen and awoman.” Amen is a Latin word that means “truly” or “so be it.” Awoman is a nonsense word that means nothing. Dems find a way to make everything stupid and nonsensical. Utter clowns, all of them.
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) January 3, 2021
pic.twitter.com/Q7Fml2pPeE
Awoman, Amen, and a Preist walk into a bar... https://t.co/2et7vu1e9z
— Donald TrumpDonald TrumpNYT: Rep. Perry played role in alleged Trump plan to oust acting AG Arizona GOP censures top state Republicans McCain, Flake and Ducey Biden and UK prime minister discuss NATO, multilateralism during call MORE Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) January 4, 2021
Consistently astounded by the depths of Dem politicians stupidity
— Kyle Kashuv (@KyleKashuv) January 4, 2021
“Amen and Awoman” pic.twitter.com/c8P1RpC4QQ
Some members of Congress also weighed in on Cleaver's attempt at inclusivity.
The prayer to open the 117th Congress ended with "amen and a-women."
— Rep. Guy Reschenthaler
Amen is Latin for "so be it."
It's not a gendered word.
Unfortunately, facts are irrelevant to progressives. Unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/FvZ0lLMDDrGuy ReschenthalerTapper battles GOP lawmakers over criticism of Afghan vet's Electoral College vote READ: The Republicans who voted to challenge election results Cleaver concludes congressional prayer with 'amen and awoman' MORE (@GReschenthaler) January 3, 2021
As part of her proposed new rules package, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Nancy PelosiSunday shows preview: All eyes on Biden administration to tackle coronavirus Calls grow for 9/11-style panel to probe Capitol attack Do Democrats really want unity? MORE (D-Calif.) has proposed eliminating references to gender and establishing an Office of Diversity and Inclusion in the House. She also last week appointed the first full-time female chaplain of either chamber of Congress.
