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"There is a lot emotional disquiet about the situation, and it's a good time to restate our values," said Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, who is Jewish and a member of leadership. "That's what I hope our resolution can do."
Clearly, Omar's remarks about Israel's influence on US policies have precipitated a lot of anger in the House, and diverts attention away from, for example, passing an anti-corruption bill dealing with campaign finance reform, voting rights, and ethics.
See also Rob Kall's OpEdNews article: Democrats Threaten First Amendment with Omar Censure/Censorship
"We're still discussing it,"Steny Hoyer said on Tuesday. "The sentiment is that it ought to be broad-based. What we're against is hate, prejudice, bigotry, white supremacy, Islamophobia, and anti-Semitism. Yes, we're strongly against anti-Semitism, but we're strongly against prejudice directed at any group."
The discussion over reprimanding Omar for saying pro-Israel advocates have "allegiance to a foreign country" has manifested the deep divides ideologically among older vs. newer members, and stemmed from the reactions of some old guard Jewish congress members like New York Reps. Eliot Engel and Nita Lowey, when they criticized Omar demanding an apology.
Engel, chairman of House Foreign Affairs Committee: "I condemn all forms of hatred. We're talking about anti-Semitism because my colleague said some very hurtful things. But I think we need to be aware all attempts to demean any group of people, whether it's Muslims or LGBT people. We have to be very strong and forceful in condemning it." However, Engel stopped short of threatening to remove Omar from the Foreign Affairs Committee, which some Republicans have demanded.
Engel: "I don't think the Foreign Affairs Committee should be used as punishment for anybody, but I do think [Omar] needs to understand what she said is very hurtful. Whether she is on the committee or not is not the issue."
In response to Lowey's criticism, Omar tweeted: "I am told every day that I am anti-American if I am not pro-Israel. 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."
Out of the two dozen other Democrats on the Foreign Affairs committee, nearly all did not respond or declined a request to comment on Monday. Member Rep. Juan Vargas (D-Calif.) tweeted that Omar should apologize for "hurtful anti-Semitic stereotypes. Questioning support for the U.S.-Israel relationship is unacceptable."
"Resolutions are all well and good, but Speaker Pelosi is clearly afraid to stand up to Rep. Omar if she continues to reward her with a plum spot on the Foreign Affairs Committee," House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) Tweeted on Monday.
Senior Democrats in key caucuses pushed for party leaders to pause floor action related to Omar so members have time to digest the content of the resolution. The Congressional Black Caucus will discuss the Resolution today at its weekly meeting.
House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries: "People are working through the draft. Not everyone has seen the draft. I support the notion that we need to respond, and we're figuring out the appropriate way to respond."
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), co-chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, confirmed that some of her group's members have discussed the resolution with Democratic leaders "to make sure we can have caucus unity on whatever we propose."
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