WASHINGTON – The House will vote Wednesday on a resolution condemning anti-Semitism following an outcry over a string of remarks by Rep. Ilhan Omar about Jews and Israel.
The rebuke is in response to concerns from Jewish lawmakers and advocacy groups who accused Omar of anti-Semitism for claiming pro-Israel members of Congress have dual loyalties.
“I should not be expected to have allegiance/pledge support to a foreign country in order to serve my country in Congress or serve on committee,” the Minnesota congresswoman tweeted Sunday.
Omar, who is the first of two Muslim women to serve in Congress, was rebuked by House leaders last month for tweeting, “It’s all about the Benjamins baby,” suggesting politicians who support Israel only do so for money from pro-Israeli lobbyists.
She apologized, but affirmed her concerns about the role lobbyists, including the pro-Israel AIPAC, play in the government process.
It’s unclear if the text of the resolution, which is still being finalized, will single out Omar.
The resolution is being drafted by staffs from the offices of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California), Rep. Eliot Engel (D-Bronx) and Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-Manhattan), Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Florida) and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland).
Omar’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.