WASHINGTON, D.C. (WKBW) — Congressman Chris Collins was one of 23 Republicans in the House of Representatives who voted against a resolution Thursday condemning anti-Semitism and other bigotry.
The one-sided 407-23 vote belied the emotional infighting over how to respond to freshman Rep. lIhan Omar's recent comments suggesting House supporters of Israel have dual allegiances.
For days, Democrats wrestled with whether or how to punish the Minnesota lawmaker, arguing over whether Omar - one of two Muslim women in Congress - should be singled out, what other types of bias should be decried in the text and whether the party would tolerate dissenting views on Israel.
Republicans generally joined in the favorable vote, though nearly two-dozen opposed the measure, one calling it a "sham."
In a tweet, Rep. Collins explained why he voted against the resolution.
"After reading the final resolution I did not feel it was strong enough in support of Israel, the only true democracy in the Middle East, and that is why I voted no," Collins tweeted.
President Donald Trump as branded the resolution as "disgraceful."
Before leaving to survey tornado damage in Alabama, Trump told reporters Friday the Democrats have become an "anti-Israel" and "anti-Jewish" party.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
