The legislative push comes as progressives have been already calling for Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) to be faraway from her committee assignments after she advised lately that Omar was doubtlessly a suicide bomber. The Home invoice was voted out of the Overseas Affairs Committee final week as strain was constructing on GOP leaders to sentence Boebert’s remarks.
The Minnesota Democrat has steadily been the goal of Islamophobic assaults, together with from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), who has repeatedly referred to as Omar a member of the “Jihad Squad.” Omar has been a vocal critic of Israel’s authorities, and has at occasions been accused of anti-Semitism, even by members of her personal get together.
Home Democratic leaders, together with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have referred to as on Minority Chief Kevin McCarthy to take punitive actions in opposition to Boebert and others for his or her rhetoric.
The Omar-led invoice would set up an workplace inside the State Division, led by a presidential appointee, to watch and report Islamophobia worldwide — modeled on an identical State Division workplace that combats anti-Semitism globally. It cleared the chamber on get together strains, 219-212, with all Democrats voting in favor and all Republicans opposing.
“Till everyone seems to be free to observe their faith, nobody is,” Omar stated on the Home flooring.
Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, the highest Republican on the Home Overseas Affairs Committee, stated he helps the “spirit and intent” of the invoice. However he raised issues that it might empower government department officers to crack down on protected speech as a result of the phrase “Islamophobia” isn’t outlined within the laws.
“It’s so obscure and subjective that it might be used in opposition to reputable speech for partisan functions,” McCaul stated on the Home flooring.
President Joe Biden helps the laws, the White Home stated earlier Tuesday. It’s unclear if the invoice will get a vote within the Senate, the place it’s prone to be the goal of a GOP filibuster.
Sarah Ferris contributed to this report.
