Ex-San Mateo Rep. Blasts GOP Over Omar's Committee Ouster

SAN MATEO, CA — Newly retired Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-San Mateo) took a parting shot at congressional Republicans Thursday over the ouster of Rep. Ilhan Omar from the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

House Republicans cited the progressive Democrat from Minnesota’s past statements about the the United States' relationship with Israel that drew criticism from both parties as being antisemitic.

Omar has since apologized.

The move followed the denial of seats on the House Intelligence Committee to Democrats Eric Swalwell and Adam Schiff (the panel’s former chairman).

Speier previously led efforts to censure Rep. Paul Gosar, a Republican firebrand from Arizona who in 2021 posted video on his social media accounts depicting the killing of Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez along with a violent attack on President Joe Biden.

“When I led the censure of Rep Paul Gosar it was because he threatened violence against another member,” Speier tweeted.

“He lost his committee assignments. Rep. Omar is stripped of her committee because Republicans don’t like her opinions.

“So much for free speech.”

Speier has an improbable ally in her support for Omar.

Far-right Rep. Matt Gaetz said his fellow Republicans were moving to oust Omar “because they don’t like what she has to say.”