Ilhan Omar

Democrat Representative of Minnesota's 5th district

Representative
Minnesota, district 5
January 3, 2019 - January 3, 2021
Representative
Minnesota, district 5
January 3, 2021 - January 3, 2023
Representative
Minnesota, district 5
January 3, 2023 - January 3, 2025

202-225-4755

@Ilhan

omar.house.gov

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Congresses Served

House Terms

October 4, 1982 (42 years old)

Birthday

Serving as the U.S. representative for Minnesota’s 5th congressional district since 2019
Served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2017 to 2019
Deputy chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus
Advocates for a $15 minimum wage, universal healthcare, student loan debt forgiveness, protection of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, and abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Supports the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement and has criticized Israel’s policies
First Somali American in the United States Congress
One of the first two Muslim women to serve in Congress
Has been the target of death threats and derogatory comments by political opponents
Born in Mogadishu, Somalia, and spent early years in Baidoa, Somalia
Family fled Somalia due to the Somali Civil War and spent four years in a refugee camp in Kenya before securing asylum in the U.S.
Became a U.S. citizen in 2000
Graduated from North Dakota State University with a degree in political science and international studies
Began her professional career as a community nutrition educator at the University of Minnesota
Has served as a campaign manager and senior policy aide before running for public office
Authored 38 bills during her tenure in the Minnesota House of Representatives
Has faced accusations of campaign finance violations but has dismissed them as politically motivated
Became the first woman to wear a hijab on the House floor due to a change in the ban on head coverings
Member of “The Squad,” an informal group of progressive congresswomen
Introduced a resolution affirming Americans’ right to participate in boycotts and voted against a resolution condemning the BDS movement
Led a group of House members in introducing articles of impeachment against President Trump in 2021
Has criticized Saudi Arabia’s human rights abuses and the intervention in Yemen, condemned China’s treatment of Uyghurs, and opposed further sanctions on Iran
Criticized for comments about Israel and AIPAC, leading to a vote to remove her from the House Foreign Affairs Committee by the Republican-controlled House
Married and has three children, including Isra Hirsi, an organizer of the school strike for climate in the US