The House sparred over whether to censure Rep. Ilhan Omar for her remarks about Charlie Kirk. The resolution failed by a single vote after four Republicans joined Democrats to block it. Their decision sparked a firestorm among conservatives who wanted Omar formally condemned.

Democrats, the resistance party that helped usher in an era of incivility by portraying every American with even the slightest differences in thought and opinion by labeling them alternately as “fascists” or “Nazis,” — the kind of rhetoric that one can draw a straight line from to the bullet casings found at the crime scene in Utah last week — will march in lockstep on any and every vote.

And yet Republicans, finally handed an opportunity to reprimand an official for vile, hateful, incendiary rhetoric, in an era of “assassination culture” on the left, just can’t muster up the intestinal fortitude to send a message.

A resolution to censure Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and remove her from key House committees failed Wednesday in a narrow 214-213 vote. Four Republicans joined Democrats to table the measure over Omar’s comments following Charlie Kirk’s assassination. – RedState

Let’s break down who those four Republicans are, what they said about their votes, and whether censure even carries much weight anymore.

Tom McClintock, California

Called Omar’s words “vile and contemptible,” but insisted that the House shouldn’t censure a member for speech made outside the chamber. He framed his decision around the First Amendment, arguing that if the House starts punishing members for political speech—no matter how offensive—it risks creating a precedent that could be turned back on Republicans later. In his view, the cure was more dangerous than the disease.

Jeff Hurd, Colorado

Also rejected Omar’s statements as “ghoulish and evil.” Still, he said the resolution went too far by trying to both censure her and strip her committee assignments. Hurd insisted he was defending principle over politics. Free speech, he said, doesn’t vanish just because someone says something ugly or unpopular.

Cory Mills, Florida

This one landed in the same camp. He strongly disagreed with Omar’s comments but voted against the resolution anyway, pointing again to constitutional protections. Some critics speculated that Mills’ decision may also have been influenced by the fact that Democrats had threatened to pursue their own censure resolution against him. By voting with them, he may have taken some of the heat off himself. Publicly, however, Mills said his vote was about refusing to muzzle speech.

Democrats are cancelling their censure motion against Rep. Cory Mills.

He sold our Charlie Kirk and voted in favor of jihadist Ilhan Omar keeping her committee assignments to save his own seat.

Mills has just ended his career in the GOP.

Guess he’s got an offer at MSNBC. https://t.co/XJnziqZK9C pic.twitter.com/cZYEdTdUXR

— Paul A. Szypula (@Bubblebathgirl) September 18, 2025

Mike Flood, Nebraska

Flood rounded out the group. He called Omar’s remarks reprehensible but argued that punishment should follow proper procedure through the Ethics Committee, not a floor vote that looked more like a political stunt. Like the others, he leaned on the idea that censure for outside comments strays into territory that threatens free expression.

Free Speech vs. Consequences

The four Republicans argued Omar’s comments were protected under the First Amendment since she did not call for violence. That may be true in a courtroom, but Congress plays by different rules. The Constitution gives the House power to punish members for “disorderly behaviour,” even when the words are legal. Free speech keeps you out of jail, not out of the congressional record. The four Republicans know that, which makes their excuse ring hollow.

Ilhan Omar needs to be removed from office and banned from the US Capitol Building.

These comments made about Charlie Kirk in the wake of his assassination are abhorrent and unbecoming of a Member of Congress. pic.twitter.com/f34f9DmGim

— Brigitte Gabriel (@ACTBrigitte) September 16, 2025

A Record of Contempt for the Country She Represents

Ilhan Omar has a long record of remarks that would get any ordinary American fired. One of the most infamous came when she dismissed 9/11 as “some people did something,” a phrase that trivialized a national tragedy. She also claimed U.S. support for Israel is “all about the Benjamins,” language soaked in anti Semitic stereotypes that even Democrats condemned. At another point, she went so far as to compare America and Israel to Hamas and the Taliban, insisting they all committed “unthinkable atrocities.”

Her attacks do not stop there. Omar has questioned whether America is any different from authoritarian regimes, pointing to drone strikes and the presence of hundreds of military bases abroad as proof.

More recently, she went on record saying the United States is “turning into one of the worst countries in the world.”

Ilham Omar Is Somalia First

Omar often presents herself as Somalia’s congresswoman as much as Minnesota’s, leaning into the politics of the country she left rather than the nation she was elected to serve. For many Americans, that looks less like representation and more like divided loyalty.

This is the Ilhan Omar record. Yet four Republicans decided she deserved protection under the banner of free speech. The idea that she has not crossed enough lines already is laughable. Just ask Jimmy Kimmel.

Ron DeSantis said it best last year when he called for Ilhan Omar to be denaturalized and deported.

Expel from Congress, denaturalize and deport! https://t.co/UyjEmSSIoQ

— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) January 30, 2024

What Does Being Censured Mean?

In plain terms, censure is Congress’ way of giving a colleague a very public scolding. The chamber votes on a resolution, the member is called to stand at the front of the House, and the charges are read aloud. It’s designed to embarrass and stain reputations, not to remove anyone from office. A censured lawmaker still casts votes, still serves their district, and usually still sits on committees unless those are stripped away in the resolution itself. It’s punishment, but more about shame than power.

It is punishment meant more for shame than power. Yet four Republicans could not even summon the backbone to give Ilhan Omar a formal slap on the wrist.

Does Censure Even Matter Anymore?

On one hand, censure lives forever in the congressional record and can trail a lawmaker into every future campaign. In a saner time that might have been a scarlet letter. These days it is just as likely to be turned into a badge of honor on a campaign poster, proof of having “triggered the other side.” On the other hand, censure does not strip away real authority or stop anyone from legislating. It has been used so often in recent years that the sting has worn off. For many voters it looks less like discipline and more like another round of political theater.

Ilhan Omar has spent years trashing the very country she swore an oath to serve, and she keeps skating by without consequence. This week, four Republicans made sure that streak continued. They can dress it up as principle, but the reality is simple. The House had the power to censure her. They chose not to. And Omar will take that as permission to do it all over again.

Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons/edited in Canva Pro