Scott Defends Rep. Omar from Hypocritical GOP Attacks

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after voting against H. Res. 76, which would remove Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (MN-05) from the House Foreign Affairs Committee:

“Representative Ilhan Omar is a valued member of the U.S. House of Representatives. As the only refugee and the only African-born member of Congress, and one of only a few Muslim members of Congress, she brings a unique and valuable perspective to this chamber. As the Ranking Member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, I can personally attest to the commitment and critical contributions she has brought to that committee. It is undisputed that Representative Omar made a mistake with some of her previous comments. But she apologized when she learned that her words were hurtful and sought out members of the Jewish community to better understand how she could be an ally in the fight against antisemitism. 

“Her actions stand in stark contrast to similar situations involving members of the Majority party and only underscores their incredible hypocrisy. Speaker McCarthy and Majority Whip Emmer have both accused prominent Jewish Democrats of trying to buy elections and control of Congress. Not only have they never apologized, as Representative Omar did, for engaging in the same antisemitic tropes, they were elevated to leadership positions within the Republican Conference. And let us not forget that former President Donald Trump just recently dined with two prominent antisemites and yet remains a leading contender for the Republican Party’s presidential nomination.  

“Finally, there is simply no comparison between today’s vote removing Representative Omar with the bipartisan actions taken against Representatives Marjorie Taylor Green and Paul Gosar last congress.  Both of those members were stripped of their committee assignments after they promoted violence against their own colleagues in Congress – just weeks after a violent and deadly insurrection against Congress. Instead of trying to punish members of congress that they do not like, I would invite House Republicans to join House Democrats in our efforts to combat inflation, reduce costs for families and continue building on the economic progress we made over the last two years.”                        

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