US Dems back down on Muslim lawmaker rebuke over her anti-Israel stance
A measure to take on a US Muslim lawmaker over her anti-Israel comments is being delayed in Congress.
In a closed-door Democratic leadership meeting Wednesday, House Democratic leaders decided not to rebuke Minnesota Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar for now despite the Muslim lawmaker’s recent controversial comments about the Israeli regime.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority leader Steny Hoyer made the announcement despite earlier reports that a resolution was being drafted against Omar’s statements on Israeli influence in the US political system.
The resolution will emphasize an “anti-hate” message, according to House Majority Whip James Clyburn.
This is so important. @IlhanMN is a powerful moral voice at time when very few (even progressive) Democrats speak clearly and knowledgeably on foreign policy. She deserves unreserved support. #IStandWithIlhan https://t.co/5dvnYviJww
— Naomi Klein (@NaomiAKlein) March 5, 2019
"I'm hearing that they are even going to pull back on their resolution that didn't even mention her - that they are afraid they can't even pass that," House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) told reporters Tuesday. "That's what I was just told on the floor, which to me is very concerning."
Speaking during a forum at a bookstore last week, Omar asserted that she wants to “talk about the political influence in this country that says it is OK for people to push for allegiance to a foreign country.”
The resolution would have been the second public rebuke of Omar by her fellow Democrat representatives after an initial outcry over her tweets criticizing the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) for its role in shaping US policy.
The announcement came after pressure mounted from numerous outside groups, including the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which wrote a letter to Pelosi calling for a vote against Omar's “latest slur.”
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