“I don’t think she should be a citizen, let alone a member of Congress,” Fine said. He added that he would not simply use the issue for fundraising, stating that if he proceeds, he will formally introduce the measure and is actively considering doing so.
His comments came after a fundraising email from Omar’s campaign called for Fine’s expulsion over past remarks in which he said Muslims should be “destroyed.”
Expelling a House member requires a two-thirds vote. With Republicans holding only a narrow majority, at least 85 Democrats would need to support the effort for it to pass.
Omar has also faced renewed scrutiny in recent weeks over fraud linked to the Somali community in her Minnesota district.
The issue involves the “Feeding Our Future” program in Minnesota, which authorities say is connected to approximately $250 million in fraud tied to the MEALS Act passed during COVID-19 lockdowns.
Omar supported the legislation and has defended her role.
When asked whether she regretted backing the MEALS Act and whether it contributed to the fraud, Omar responded, “Absolutely not, it did help feed kids.”
Former President Donald Trump has also criticized Omar in recent weeks.
Earlier this month, he referred to her as “garbage” and raised concerns about large-scale migration from countries such as Somalia.
“I don’t want them in our country,” Trump said, adding that he does not care about political correctness. He also criticized people he associates with Omar, claiming they do not contribute positively.
Republican challenger John Nagel has accused Omar of being closely connected to the broader Feeding Our Future fraud scandal, which he says is centered in her Minneapolis-based congressional district.
Nagel claims that legislation introduced by Omar contributed to conditions that allowed the fraud to occur. He also pointed to the geographic concentration of the alleged fraud within her district.
Omar introduced the Maintaining Essential Access to Lunch for Students Act, known as the MEALS Act, during the pandemic. The bill allowed states to provide free meals to children during school closures through methods such as grab-and-go distribution and relaxed eligibility requirements.
Omar has denied any wrongdoing, and the legislation passed Congress with bipartisan support.
Nagel further alleged that individuals connected to Omar’s political circle benefited financially from the scheme. He also claimed that Omar held campaign events at Safari Restaurant, a business tied to the investigation, and that she was familiar with one of its owners who has since been convicted.
