House Moves Closer to Booting Ilhan Omar from Powerful Post

TThe House voted on Wednesday along party lines in support of GOP efforts to remove Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), from the Foreign Affairs Committee. This is even before the Minnesota Democrat was named to the panel.

The House Speaker approved a resolution to start debating Omar’s removal by a 218-209 vote. This sets the stage for a contentious vote later in the week. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), had repeatedly vowed that the Minnesota Democrat would be stripped of her committee assignments for her anti-Israel positions, and allegations that Omar was antisemitic.

PLANS FOR THE HOUSE GOP WEDNESDAY: VOTE ON BOOTING OMAR FROM FOREIGN AFAIRS COMMITTEE

The House will take her away from all her assignments. Must pass A full resolution in support of her removal. Republicans have a majority of 222-213 in the House. This means they cannot afford to lose four votes in order to pass the resolution with no Democrats. McCarthy could face some difficulties as Democrats are lobbying GOP members to pass the resolution. Foreign affairs Panel to oppose her deportation.

After Rep. Victoria Spartz (R.IN) flipped her vote earlier in the week, she told reporters that she would vote for the resolution. This was after lawmakers added language that would allow legislators to appeal their removal from specific committee assignments. Spartz initially indicated that she would vote no on the resolution.

Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO), also stated to reporters that he would turn his vote on Wednesday. He agreed to vote in favor of the resolution once it is put forward for a vote. Colorado Republican said he was rethinking his decision after lawmakers accepted a possible rules amendment that would make it easier to remove committee members.

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Omar will not be named by Democrats to the Foreign Affairs Committee before Wednesday’s House adjourns. That means that Omar would have to be removed from the panel at the earliest possible time for lawmakers to vote.

McCarthy has always vowed Omar to be removed from her powerful position on the committee. McCarthy first issued threats after Republicans won control of the House in November. McCarthy removed Eric Swalwell (D-CA), and Adam Schiff (D-CA), from their positions on the House Intelligence Committee last week.