Alabama Republicans approve resolution calling for Omar to be expelled from Congress

Alabama’s Republican Party is urging the state’s congressional delegation to begin the process of expelling freshman Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) from Congress.

The state GOP supported a resolution calling for the congresswoman’s ouster at its summer meeting in Auburn this past weekend, according to Al.com. The committee reportedly approved the resolution on a voice vote after it was introduced by state Rep. Tommy Hanes.

{mosads}The resolution calls on Alabama’s congressional delegation to “proceed with the expulsion process in accordance to Article 1, Section 5 of the U.S. Constitution.”

Omar, a Somali refugee who last year became one of the first two Muslim women elected to Congress, has sparked criticism from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle over her comments about issues tied to U.S.-Israeli relations.

The resolution backed by Alabama Republicans condemns Omar for what it calls her “disturbing record of using anti-Semitic language that includes alleging Jewish money is used to buy American influence regarding its policy toward Israel.”

The state Republicans also voiced opposition to Omar’s public support of the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement that presses Israel on human rights issues in its conflict with the Palestinians and accused the congresswoman of engaging in “rhetoric that explicitly runs counter to American values and patriotism.”

The resolution alleges Omar “dismissed” the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and “sympathized with a convicted terrorist” by pushing for “sentencing leniency.”

Omar in a tweet ripped the Alabama GOP for seeking her removal, noting that Republicans in the state had nominated Roy Moore for the Senate in 2017.  

“Sorry, [Alabama GOP], but this is a representative democracy,” Omar tweeted. “I was elected with 78% of the vote by the people of Minnesota’s 5th District, not the Alabama Republican Party.”

In a statement to The Hill, Hanes said the Constitution allows for the removal of a member of Congress who is disloyal to the United States. 

“There is precedence for Article 1, Section 5 of the Constitution being invoked to expel members of Congress based on disloyalty to the United States,” Hanes said in the statement”[Omar] has dismissed and minimized the magnitude of the 9/11 terror attacks. Omar also demonized the brave war veterans who fought to liberate her people. Omar is ungrateful to the United States and the opportunities that have been afforded to her. Her rhetoric is despicable and unpatriotic.

Omar has come under heavy scrutiny from Trump and other Republicans throughout her first term in Congress. She prompted widespread backlash earlier this year after suggesting lawmakers support Israel because of the money they receive from lobbyists. She prompted similar outrage after saying that those who support the country have “dual loyalty.”

Trump has frequently lashed out at Omar. In July, he said the lawmaker and other progressive congresswomen of color should “go back” to where they came from.

Omar has been outspoken in her opposition to Trump, saying last month that she believed the president was a “fascist.”

This story was updated at 9:32 a.m.