House Passes Anti-Islamophobia Bill Following Boebert's 'Jihad Squad' Comments

The House voted 219-212 to globally combat Islamophobia after Rep. Lauren Boebert’s, R- Colo., remarks directed at Rep. Ilhan Omar, D- Minn., insinuating the Muslim congresswoman was a terrorist and member of the "Jihad Squad."

The Omar-led bill would establish an office within the State Department, and led by a presidential appointee to monitor and report Islamophobia worldwide. “Until everyone is free to practice their religion, no one is,” Omar said on the House floor.

The passage of this legislation in the House of Representatives is a huge milestone for Muslims around the world and a powerful signal that Islamophobia cannot be tolerated anywhere.

Standing up against bigotry might expose one to attacks but we shouldn’t coward. Stand tall. ✊_ https://t.co/e51Ao9NapV
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) December 15, 2021

The anti-Muslim violence and repression around the world are only possible because of hateful propaganda and lies meant to convince others that all Muslims are dangerous. We even see that here in Congress. That's why I'm proud to support @Ilhan Omar's bill to combat Islamophobia. pic.twitter.com/OPlIM23Omd
— Judy Chu (@RepJudyChu) December 14, 2021

Rep. Michale McCaul, R- Texas., said he supports the bill “in spirit” but added the bill was “too vague and too subjective" and that Islamophobia isn’t defined in the legislation.

Omar faced more incendiary comments from Rep. Scott Perry, R- Penn., who referred to her as an anti-Semite and implied she had connections to terrorist organizations.

"Let's face it: Aside from the attempts to placate an anti-Semitic member of this chamber, all that's really happening here is that House Democrats are deflecting from the real issue confronting the House of Representatives, and that is that the maker of this bill has no business sitting on House committees has no business in this chamber," Perry said, adding American taxpayers “shouldn’t be forced to pay terrorist organizations that the maker of this bill is affiliated with.”

Perry’s comments were later stricken from the record and he was barred from speaking on the floor for the rest of the night.

A House effort to pass a bill to combat anti-Muslim bigotry became enmeshed in charges of exactly that prejudice when Representative Scott Perry, a Republican, launched a personal attack on the bill’s co-sponsor, Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota. https://t.co/Yz6LMProka
— The New York Times (@nytimes) December 15, 2021

Omar was accused of anti-Semitism after she made comments condemning the lobbying influence of AIPAC over GOP leaders. Omar has signaled support for B.D.S. (Boycotts, Divestments, Sanctions) along with Rep. Rashida Talib, D- Mich., which condemns Israel and promotes equal rights for Palestinians.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R- Calif., has yet to condemn Boebert for her remarks and Omar’s fellow Democrats have drafted a bill that would remove Boebert from her committee assignments for her comments, which resulted in Omar receiving a death threat shortly after. The bill has yet to be taken to the House floor for a vote.

The Biden administration released a statement supporting Omar’s legislation saying “Religious freedom is a fundamental human right” and that the administration “strongly believes that people of all faiths and backgrounds should be treated with equal dignity and respect around the world," the statement said.