Talking Points: Rep. Omar ousted from Foreign Affairs Committee, vows that she won’t be silenced

Well, since representative Ilhan Omar was elected to Congress in 2018, she's been at the center of a number of controversies. The latest a vote along party lines to have her removed from the Foreign Affairs Committee. In tonight's talking points, Esme Murphy shows us what the Congresswoman has to say about it. In a straight line party vote, Republicans kicked Congresswoman Ilhan Omar off the prestigious Foreign Affairs Committee. The stated reason? Remarks she made four years ago that were widely seen as anti-Semitic. Omar apologized unequivocally for the remarks and has worked to rebuild relationship with Jewish members of Congress, including Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips. But in hyperpartisan Washington, controversies don't die easily.

Republicans fumed when then-speaker Nancy Pelosi removed two Republican representatives, Paul Gosar and Marjorie Taylor Greene from committees, for comments and alleged support of violence against Democratic colleagues. Then Republican Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy vowed Omar would be targeted when he became Speaker, which is exactly what happened. At first a handful of Republicans hesitated, but later decided to join their colleagues in voting Omar off the committee. Minnesota Sixth District Congressman Tom Emmer is now the Republican majority whip, charged with successfully rounding up votes for the majority. He is defending the vote against Omar, saying, quote, there is no debate that Ilhan Omar, the face of anti-Semitism in the Democratic Party, has no place representing American interests on the Foreign Affairs Committee. Ms. Omar is an embarrassment to our Minnesota and our country.

Congresswoman Omar was a guest on WCCO Sunday morning. What can I say about Emmer? This is a really weak man, someone who is in leadership of a caucus that's run by QAnon supporters and conspiracy theorists. You also have to remember Emmer represents a huge Somali community here in Minnesota. When Trump came to Minnesota and said Somalis will infiltrate our community, Emmer did not have the strength to stand up for his constituents and fellow Minnesotans. Omar is keeping her seat on the House Education and Labor Committee, and Democratic leadership is appointing her to the prestigious Budget Committee. Omar is promising she will not be silenced. Her voice will only get louder and stronger, she says.

While the Republican vote to oust Omar was unanimous, two GOP representatives were overheard voicing concerns afterwards. Foreign Affairs Committee Member Representative Ken Buck called the vote, quote, the stupidest in the world, and Representative Mike Simpson said the vote would turn Omar into a, quote, martyr. Esme Murphy, WCCO for News. And you can watch WCCO Sunday morning with Esme Murphy and Joseph Dames every Sunday at 6 and at 10.30 AM.

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