Republicans have ousted Democrat Congresswomen Ilhan Omar from her committee post which signaled of escalating tensions in the US Congress, reports BBC.
They voted to remove the Muslim politician Ilhan from the House Foreign Affairs Committee over her past comments about Israel.
Republicans said the move sent a strong statement against antisemitism.
But Democrats and Omar said it was revenge after two Republicans were ousted from committees in 2020 when Democrats held a House majority.
Ilhan Omar also suggested she was being removed because she is a Muslim woman who immigrated to the US as a refugee.
"Is anyone surprised that I am somehow deemed unworthy to speak about American foreign policy?" she said shortly before the vote.
Republicans secured a majority in the House of Representatives following the midterm elections in November, and members voted along party lines to remove Ilhan Omar on Thursday.
She is one of three high-profile Democrats to lose a committee assignment under the new House majority, which is led by Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
Some Republicans - including Mr McCarthy - argued Ilhan should not serve on the powerful Foreign Affairs Committee owing to her past comments about Israel that have, at times, been criticised by members from both parties.
Ilhan Omar apologised in 2019 for implying money was behind support for Israel.
Then-Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi condemned Ilhan Omar's comments as antisemitic as they invoked bigoted stereotypes about Jewish people using money for influence.’
"Antisemitism is real and I am grateful for Jewish allies and colleagues who are educating me on the painful history of antisemitic tropes," Ilhan said in a statement at the time.
On Thursday, Democrats, including Jewish members of Congress, said Ilhan Omar had taken appropriate steps to educate her about antisemitism.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
