With the U.S. House set to vote on an resolution Thursday condemning comments about Israel made by Fifth District Rep. Ihan Omar, the freshman Congresswoman is getting support from her home state.
Nearly two-dozen elected officials in Minnesota have signed a statement of support for Omar, who continues to take heat for statements that some view as anti-Semitic.
Minnesota state representatives, Minneapolis City Council members, park board officials and other elected leaders say they stand with Omar as she faces what they call smears. The statement doesn't specifically address Omar's comments, but rather calls on Democrats to stand with Omar.
The declaration offered by House Democrats and supported by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, comes after Omar made new remarks about Israel that critics decried as anti-Semitic. But that declaration is now expected to include other language to include anti-Muslim bias and other forms of bigotry.
At an event last week, the freshman Democrat from Minnesota made a reference to "political influence in this country that says it is okay for people to push for allegiance to a foreign country."
The Anti-Defamation League has demanded that House Democrats offer a resolution that makes clear every member of Congress opposes anti-Semitism.