United States: Republicans oust Ilhan Omar from the Congressional Foreign Affairs Committee

Democrat Ilhan Omar in the US Congress on February 2, 2023. AP - Manuel Balce Ceneta

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

Republicans voted on the wire to oust black, African-born Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar from the powerful Foreign Affairs Committee.

Official reason given: remarks recognized as anti-Semitic and for which she had apologized.

Advertisement

Read more

With our correspondent in New York,

For Republicans, six different statements by Ilhan Omar recognized as anti-Semitic show his lack of objectivity on international issues.

They voted 218 votes to 211 for his departure from the Foreign Affairs Committee. 

Regularly mocked by Donald Trump and his acolytes, the Democratic representative, who recalled being a Muslim and an immigrant from Somalia, said that the Republicans were attacking her because of her origins.

" 

 “, launched

.

Democrats cry for political revenge

The Democrats also cried out for political vengeance.

They are convinced that the Republicans are making them pay for denying access to committees to two far-right representatives two years ago - it must be said that until then, the withdrawal of lawmakers from the committees of the Chamber was essentially unprecedented.

Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy denied it on Thursday - even though he had suggested the tactic in the event of a Republican victory in the House a year ago. 

►Also read

Newsletter

Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

• United States