Dems mobilize to defend Omar in face of GOP defections

House Republicans are already facing defections over a leadership push to oust Rep. Ilhan Omar from her committees. Democrats plan to make the vote even more painful.

The Minnesota Democrat and her caucus allies have begun to mount a robust defense of the progressive squad member, who Speaker Kevin McCarthy and his allies have repeatedly threatened to kick off committees once the GOP took over the House. While theyve focused on Omars past comments about Israel some of which divided her own party at the time Republicans loudly protested last Congress when Democrats booted a pair of conservatives from committees.

Democratic leaders are working to have no defections on the vote to remove Omar from the Foreign Affairs Committee when it comes up for a full House vote as soon as next week. And even Democrats who have vocally taken issue with her stance on Israel are now urging colleagues on both sides of the aisle to allow her to remain on the panel.

She will be the first to tell you that we both disagree on a lot of things. I love Israel, and I will defend it wholeheartedly. Shes deeply troubled by the Israeli government. But that doesnt mean that there shouldnt be a voice on the Foreign Affairs Committee, even if it is painful for me, said Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips a Jewish Democrat who in the past spoke out against some of her remarks, for which she later apologized.