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The Republican-led House voted after a heated debate Thursday to remove Rep. Democrat Ilhan Omar of the chamber’s Foreign Affairs Committee, citing the anti-Israel comments, was a dramatic response after Democrats last session expelled a right-wing GOP lawmaker over his defamatory comments. .
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy could strengthen Republican support for Muslim women born in Somalia in the new Congress, even as some GOP lawmakers expressed reservations.
Removing lawmakers from House committees was virtually unprecedented until Democrats expelled two years ago right-wing Republican Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Paul Gosar of Arizona.
Thursday’s 218-211 vote, along party lines, came after a heated, Democratic-led debate in which Democrats accused the GOP of targeting Omar based on her race. Omar defended himself on the House floor, asking if anyone was surprised he was a target, “because when you push for power, power pushes back.”
His Democratic colleagues hugged and hugged him as he voted.
“My voice will be louder and stronger, and my leadership will be celebrated around the world,” Omar said in his closing speech.
The US House has voted to remove the controversial far-right Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from several committees because of violent, racist comments, but the vote only received the support of 11 Republicans.
Omar apologizes for his past comments
Omar also became the first person to wear a hijab in the House chamber after the floor rules were changed to allow members to wear head coverings for religious reasons.
He quickly courted controversy after entering Congress in 2019 with a pair of tweets suggesting lawmakers who support Israel were motivated by money. First, he criticized the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC.
“It’s all about baby Benjamin,” he wrote, referring to the slang for the $100 bill.
Asked on Twitter who he thought was paying members of Congress to support Israel, Omar replied, “AIPAC!” The comments prompted a public rebuke from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats who said Omar had overstepped.
He immediately apologized. “We should always be willing to step back and think about criticism, as I hope people will listen when others attack me about my identity,” tweeted Omar.
“That’s why I apologize so clearly.”
The GOP claims Omar brought ‘disgrace’ to the House
Republicans focused on six statements Omar has made that “in the totality of the circumstances, disqualify him from serving on the Foreign Affairs Committee,” said Rep. Michael Guest of Mississippi, chairman of the House Ethics Committee.
“All members, Republicans and Democrats alike who seek to serve overseas, should be held to the highest standards because of the international sensitivity and national security issues under this committee’s jurisdiction,” Guest said.
The resolution filed by Rep. Max Miller, R-Ohio, a former official in the Trump administration, stated, “Omar’s comments have caused disrespect to the House of Representatives.”
Rep. Republican George Santos has temporarily stepped down from a House committee as he faces mounting calls for his resignation over his numerous lies about his work experience and family history.
Omar’s earlier comments were among those highlighted in the resolution calling for his removal from the Foreign Affairs Committee. The committee’s chairman, Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, advocated removing Omar from the panel during a recent closed-door meeting with fellow Republicans.
“It’s just that the worldview of Israel is diametrically opposed to his committee,” McCaul told reporters in explaining his attitude. “I don’t think there’s a difference of opinion, but this is over the top.”
McCarthy has blocked Reps. Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell, both California Democrats, from rejoining the House Intelligence Committee after the GOP took control of the chamber in January.
While appointments to the intelligence panel are the speaker’s prerogative, action against Omar would require a House vote. Some Republicans skeptical of Omar’s removal want “due process” for lawmakers to be removed.
McCarthy said he would work with Democrats to create a due process system, but acknowledged it was still a work in progress.
Democrats say Republicans want revenge
Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York said Omar had repeatedly “made mistakes” and used antisemitic tropes condemned by House Democrats four years ago, but said that was not what the vote was about.
“This is not about accountability, it’s about political vendetta,” Jeffries said.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, went one step further, saying that the GOP’s actions are one of the “disgusting legacy of post-9/11, targeting and racism against Muslim-Americans across the United States. And this is an extension of that legacy.”
“It’s about targeting women of color,” she said.
McCarthy dismissed the Republican move to oust Omar as a tit-for-tat after the elimination of Greene and Gosar in the Democrats, although he had warned in late 2021 that such a response could be expected if the Republicans win back the House.
“This is not like the last Congress,” he said Thursday, noting that Omar could remain on another panel, just not Foreign Affairs after his anti-Israel comments.
Omar was one of the first two Muslim women elected to Congress.
Democrats declare racism
Democrats rallied to defend Omar and the experience he brings to Congress. Black, Latino and progressive lawmakers in particular spoke of her unique voice in the House and criticized Republicans for what they called racist attacks.
“Racist gaslighting,” said Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo.
“The resolution is revenge,” said Rep. That’s why Jayapal from Washington, chairman of the progressive caucus.
“It was painful to watch,” said Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., who joined Congress in 2019, when she and Omar became the first two Muslim women elected to the House.
“To Congresswoman Omar, I am so sorry that our country failed you today through this chamber,” Tlaib said through tears. “You belong to that committee.”
Chris Galdieri, a professor of politics at Saint Anselm College, explains why no Republican Party is willing to step down in the Speaker election, which has led to a stalemate in the US House.
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