By Mike Brest
The House of Representatives passed a motion Wednesday afternoon condemning anti-Semitism, which was added to a bill ending U.S. military aid for Saudi Arabia’s ongoing war in Yemen.
This vote comes only days after Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar faced accusations of anti-Semitism for saying the pro-Israel lobby buys support for Israel from members of Congress.
Just now → Republicans and Democrats voted together with one voice to condemn anti-Semitism in all forms.
— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) February 13, 2019
Omar was forced to apologize after being called out by politicians across the aisle. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi condemned Omar for her “use of anti-Semitic tropes,” while President Donald Trump called on her to resign or at least be removed from the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Just before a vote on the Yemen war powers resolution, House GOP forced a vote to add an amendment condemning anti-Semitism in the interest of national security – a clear attempt to get Democrats on record about comments by @IlhanMN. Passed 424-0 w/ 2 present (Amash, Massie)
— Rebecca Kaplan (@RebeccaRKaplan) February 13, 2019
Though she apologized for the statement Monday, Omar later pushed back on Trump for his statements about her.
The House voted 424-0 with two GOP members voting present, according to a spokesperson for House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy. Republican Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Justin Amash of Michigan were the two who voted present.
According to The Hill, the motion reads that, “it is in the national interests of the United States to combat anti-Semitism at home and abroad. With an unfortunate rise in anti-Semitism and attempts to delegitimize Israel, the United States House of Representatives must emphasize the importance of combating anti-Semitism and reject all movements that deny Israel’s right to exist.
The vote on this amendment comes weeks after three Republican members of Congress introduced a resolution to condemn anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment.