Resolution from Omar's own party comes after the congresswoman doubles down on 'dual loyalty' comments, implying that support for Israel constitutes 'allegiance to a foreign country'
Democratic leaders in the House plan to call for a vote on a resolution in response to remarks that freshman Rep. Ilhan Omar made about Israel at a town hall event last week, a senior Democratic aide told USA TODAY.
Staffers from the offices of top Democrats, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., worked on the resolution condemning Omar's remarks over the weekend but the text is still not final, the aide said. Pelosi plans to bring the resolution to the floor for a vote on Wednesday.
Omar suggested Wednesday that the pro-Israel lobby pushes lawmakers to show "allegiance to a foreign country" and said the charge of anti-Semitism is "designed to end the debate" about Israel's treatment of Palestinians.
The remark drew an angry response from House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel. D-N.Y., who demanded Omar apologize for what he considered a "vile, anti-Semitic slur" in a statement on Friday. Omar is a member of Engel's committee.
Critics said Omar's remarks played into old tropes casting doubt on the loyalty of American Jews.
Omar – who apologized for a different comment that was condemned as anti-Semitic last month – pushed back against the criticism in a series of tweets on Sunday. She gave no indication that she intended to apologize in response to the new accusation of anti-Semitism.
"I am told everyday that I am anti-American if I am not pro-Israel," Omar tweeted. "I find that to be problematic and I am not alone. I just happen to be willing to speak up on it and open myself to attacks."
The tweet was part of an exchange with Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., who said lawmakers should be able to debate without "prejudice or bigotry."
"Our democracy is built on debate, Congresswoman!" Omar replied. "I should not be expected to have allegiance/pledge support to a foreign country in order to serve my country in Congress."