WASHINGTON – In a 407-23 vote, the US House of Representatives approved a resolution condemning anti-Semitism, discrimination against Muslims, and other bigotry.
Democrats in the House of Representatives briefly postponed the vote Thursday afternoon as the Hispanic Caucus sought language including Latinos.
The issue bringing heated debate in the nation’s capitol started with comments by Michigan Representative Ilhan Omar. She said Israel’s allies pressure lawmakers to pledge “allegiance” to a foreign country.
Some view her comments about Jewish people having dual loyalties as anti-Semitic, while others are coming to her defense saying critics are being Islamophobic.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Omar did not realize her comments would appear anti-Semitic as she criticized Israel. Rep. Omar is a Somali-American who is only one of two Muslim women serving in the US House of Representatives.
The resolution brought to a rush vote today includes a broad rejection of discrimination and other racism.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report)
