After Liberal Pushback, House Dems Delay Vote On Omar, Anti-Semitism

A vote on a resolution condemning anti-Semitism — aimed at Rep. Ilhan Omar’s (D-MN) recent comments about pro-Israeli advocates — was postponed and will likely be taken up on Thursday, Politico reported.

Amid pushback from liberal voices both within the Democratic House Caucus and outside of it, members of the Congressional Black Caucus and Congressional Progressive Caucus determined they wanted more time to review the resolution, which was initially set for a vote on Wednesday. In a private meeting Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) told Democrats that they wanted the language of the resolution updated to include a rejection of anti-Muslim rhetoric, as well. Some Democrats told Politico that the censure legislation might be rewritten entirely.

Liberals within the party, notably Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) have called out Democratic leadership for singling out Omar when blatant “anti-blackness” and homophobic remarks from other members often slide.

One of the things that is hurtful about the extent to which reprimand is sought of Ilhan is that no one seeks this level of reprimand when members make statements about Latinx + other communities (during the shutdown, a GOP member yelled “Go back to Puerto Rico!” on the floor). https://t.co/MwrRN4v4DG

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 5, 2019

In this administration + all others, we should actively check antisemitism, anti-blackness, homophobia, racism, and all other forms of bigotry.

And the most productive end goal when we see it is to educate and heal.

It’s the difference btwn “calling in” before “calling out.”

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 5, 2019

Progressive groups outside of the caucus also slammed Democrats rebuke of Omar, like the group Muslim Advocates, which pointed out the “hypocritical double standard” in a statement to TPM.

“Anti-Muslim bigotry and hypocritical double standards are a driving force behind the proposed resolution condemning Congresswoman Ilhan Omar,” they said. “Adding references to anti-Muslim bigotry in this resolution cannot redeem it. The anti-Semitic tropes that she is being accused of and worse have been recited time and again by members of Congress like Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Rep. Jim Jordan, Rep. Matt Gaetz and President Trump, yet none of these men were subjected to a congressional resolution of disapproval nor the widespread attacks like the ones directed at Rep. Omar.

“American Muslims in public service are routinely attacked as anti-woman, anti-LGBTQ, and anti-Semitic and, by even considering this resolution, Congress is perpetuating this effort to marginalize and silence American Muslim public officials and intimidate American Muslims from exercising their basic constitutional rights.”

Omar’s comments over the weekend — when she suggested pro-Israel advocates have an “allegiance to a foreign country,” which is widely considered an anti-Semitic trope — were condemned by prominent Jewish lawmakers within her party, which sparked the crafting of a resolution.