Greg Steube introduces resolution admonishing Ilhan Omar
U.S. Reps. Greg Steube and Ilhan Omar.

Steube Omar
Republican says Democrats missed chance to properly handle controversy.

U.S. Rep. Greg Steube joined with 23 Republicans who voted no last week on a resolution condemning bigotry. He said that was because he thought broad language glossed over what prompted the legislation— offensive remarks by U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar.

Now, Steube has introduced a new resolution that singles his colleague from Minnesota out.

“Democrat leadership had an opportunity to admonish her remarks specifically, but they didn’t,” the Sarasota Republican said.

“Jewish people in America and across the globe deserve better from this legislative body. That is why I’m introducing this resolution—so we as a body can come together in agreement to say anti-Semitism belongs nowhere in the halls of Congress or its Members.”

Omar, a freshman Democrat and one of the first Muslim women to serve in Congress, became the center of controversy after comments viewed by many as anti-Jewish tropes.

After suggesting some of her colleagues demonstrated “dual loyalty” to Israel and the U.S., Omar drew bipartisan criticism.

That included scolds from U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, a Palm Beach Democrat.

It also pushed Democratic leadership to put forward a resolution condemning anti-Semitism. But as some party progressives felt Omar faced disproportionate criticism while facing Islamophobia, the resolution was broadened.

“Instead of specifically addressing the persistent anti-Semitic remarks made by my colleague, House Democrats chose last week to make a mockery of this institution by giving her troubling behavior yet another pass,” Steube said.

On Twitter, Steube made a specific suggestion for an appropriate response to Omar’s remarks.

“Rep. Omar has repeatedly made anti-Semitic remarks but has yet to face any real punishment from her caucus,” he wrote. “If Democrat leadership wants to stand against such rhetoric, they’d remove her from the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Don’t you agree?”

Notably, Republican leadership had left the Omar situation for Democrats to wrestle with amongst themselves.

“I would like to see what the Democrats are going to do,” Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said earlier this month, per Politico.

But Steube said he’s seen enough.

“I am pleased that the House of Representatives now has an opportunity to consider legislation that directly addresses the growing problem of anti-Semitism that unfortunately exists inside our institution.”

Jacob Ogles

Jacob Ogles has covered politics in Florida since 2000 for regional outlets including SRQ Magazine in Sarasota, The News-Press in Fort Myers and The Daily Commercial in Leesburg. His work has appeared nationally in The Advocate, Wired and other publications. Events like SRQ’s Where The Votes Are workshops made Ogles one of Southwest Florida’s most respected political analysts, and outlets like WWSB ABC 7 and WSRQ Sarasota have featured his insights. He can be reached at [email protected].


4 comments

  • Tom Alciere

    March 15, 2019 at 3:48 pm

    From H. Res. 241: Whereas in 2018, Representative Omar posted, ‘‘Drawing attention to the apartheid Israeli regime is far from hating Jews.’’;

    Well, drawing such attention IS FAR from hating Jews. Omar spoke a forbidden truth. Supporters of the USA-Israel alliance are terrified she will call attention to that regime.

    Rep. Steube is taking lessons from Joseph Goebbels: “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.”

  • Mikki Arrow

    March 16, 2019 at 9:45 am

    Nancy Pelosi has met her match with Omar, Tlaib and AOC… She’s afraid to open her mouth, therefore, a new majority leader (Stenny Hoyer) should be chosen from among the established Democrats, and the above mentioned 3 stooges expelled from congress… …and as for Kevin McCarthy, this is no time to wait to see what the Dems do, we need bloody action NOW!!! You’re no better than Paul Ryan!!!

  • Serge Grynkewich

    March 18, 2019 at 6:32 am

    Representative Steube is dancing to the typical, old reactionary tune that is no longer relevant to American politics. He should be condemned for trying to vilify fellow House Member, Rep. Omar, who has bravely opened a subject that has long needed airing.
    America needs politicians who are brave and bold, politicians not tied to worn-out ways and who are not in the pockets of special interest groups. Rep. Omar is such a politician. Rep. Steuben is not.

Comments are closed.


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