The Republican-controlled House has voted to remove Rep. Ilhan Omar from the chamber’s Foreign Affairs Committee.
House Republicans cited Omar's previous criticism of Israel as the reason for their decision.
- House
Speaker Kevin McCarthy was able to galvanize Republicans during a vote
on Thursday to oust Omar from her position on the committee.
- The 218-211 vote was split along party lines and Democrats accused Republicans of targeting Omar, who was born in Somalia, for her race.
- "Is anyone surprised that I am somehow deemed unworthy to speak about American foreign policy?" said Omar ahead of the vote.
- Republicans said they took action against her to signal their opposition to antisemitism.
- Omar suggested in 2019 that pro-Israel groups were lobbying U.S. lawmakers to "pledge support to a foreign country," but later apologized for the comment.
- Omar is one of three high-profile Democrats to lose committee assignments after Republicans took control of the House.
