With a final floor vote of 218-211, the Republican-led House of Representatives voted to boot Rep. Ilhan Omar from her seat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Earlier in the week, Reps. Omar and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez argued that the Republic a decision to kick Omar off the committee was based solely on racism against “women of color” particularly Muslim women.
Freshman Florida Rep. Maxwell Frost (D), who voted against the resolution, also decried racism against Omar, stating that he was “disgusted” that members of Congress had to vote on the measure.
Just voted NO on kicking @IlhanMN off of the Foreign Affairs Committee. I’m so disgusted that we are even voting on this.
White supremacy is alive and well.
— Maxwell Alejandro Frost (@MaxwellFrostFL) February 2, 2023
White Supremacy is alive and well,” added Rep. Frost.
Rep. Omar was targeted by House Republicans for her past anti-semitic and anti-Israel tropes.
Rep. Byron Donalds, a Black Republican from Florida, reminded Americans why Omar has been kicked off her committee, citing one of Omar’s past anti-Israel tweets.
Omar said the United States and Israel — much like Hamas and the Taliban — were responsible for “unthinkable atrocities” and “crimes against humanity.” pic.twitter.com/6RrjK9PwW1
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) February 1, 2023
Israel is our closest ally in the Middle East and a driver of peace and Democracy in one of the most unstable regions in the world. Someone with such disdain for Israel isn’t fit to serve on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and I will vote accordingly,” stated Rep. Donalds.
Republican Rep. Cory Mills, who sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, voted “YES” to banish Omar from the committed he now sits on.
“I support maintaining integrity of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC). Our voice on geopolitical matters impact the US on the world stage, and how our allies and adversaries view America. I voted YES to HR 76 removing Rep. Omar for antisemitic/ anti-American rhetoric,” stated Rep. Mills.
But even though House Democrats banned together in support of Omar keeping her committee assignments, Jewish-American lawmakers like Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz have openly denounced Omar’s past antisemitic remarks, and those of Rep. Rashida Tlaib.
Both Reps. Omar and Tlaib are pro-BDS and Muslim-Americans.
“The outrageous progressive litmus test on Israel by @RashidaTlaib is nothing short of antisemitic. Proud progressives do support Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish and democratic state. Suggesting otherwise is shameful and dangerous. Divisive rhetoric does not lead to peace,” stated Rep. Wasserman Schultz.
This is not the first time Wasserman-Schultz has called out members of “The Squad” for their criticism of Israel which can be interpreted as antisemitic.
Last June, Wasserman-Schultz defended Israel’s response to a mass rocket attack by Hamas, after Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN-5) said that the press interviewing a Palestinian witness was shedding light on the “Israeli occupation, ethnic cleansing, and apartheid system.” Wasserman-Schultz said that she was “extremely concerned by those who demonize Israel’s conduct while ignoring their right to self-defense and obligation to protect all citizens.”
Originally published in the Floridian.
