She also famously hinted that American support for Israel was just about money, tweeting “It’s all about the Benjamins baby”, alluding to the $100 bill, to which she subsequently received widespread condemnation from colleagues.
In response to her removal, Rep. Omar accused Republicans of targeting her because of her background.
On the House floor on Thursday, she said: “There is this idea that you are a suspect if you are an immigrant or if you are from certain parts of the world or a certain skin tone or a Muslim.”
Later, she added: “There is an idea out there that I do not have objective decision making because of who I am, where I come from, and my perspective,
“I am an American,” she said to a standing ovation from her Democratic colleagues.
Some of Rep. Omar’s Democrat colleagues rallied around her ahead of Thursday’s vote and made speeches on her behalf, accusing Republicans of bigotry.
In an impassioned, tearful speech on the House floor, Palestinian-American Democrat Rep. Rashida Tlaib, who herself has been accused of anti-Israel bias, said Republicans “are showing who they are” by condemning Ilhan Omar’s allegedly antisemitic remarks and blocking her from a seat on the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Rep Tlaib said: “Congresswoman Omar, I am so sorry that our country is failing you today through this chamber. You belong on that committee.”
Rep. Omar and Rep. Tlaib are two members of the “Squad”, a group of Democratic Representatives, initially made up of four women, in the far left wing of the Democratic Party.
In August 2019, Israel blocked both women from visiting the country due to their past comments.
Democrat Rep. Ted Lieu tweeted that the Democrats would put Rep. Omar back on the Foreign Affairs Committee in two years once they flip the House.
Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, also part of the “Squad”, accused the Republican Party of racism and inciting violence against women of colour.
She said: “One of the disgusting legacies after 9/11 has been the targeting and racism against Muslim Americans throughout the United States of America and this is an extension of that legacy.”
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre dubbed the move a “political stunt” and a “disservice to the American people.”
The United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs is responsible for overseeing a broad mandate of foreign policy legislation, such as national security developments, war powers, foreign assistance and treaties, arms control, and international economic policy.
Following the 2022 midterm elections, Republicans won control of the House for the first time since January 2019, winning 222 seats out of the possible 435.
