Boundary Congress, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota enjoys another first | New policies

By STEVE KARNOWSKI, Associated press

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Ilhan Omar said Wednesday that she was still the first US-Somali elected to Congress, but that she's still rejoicing to be known for her firsts.

In 2016, this former refugee became the first American-Somali elected to a legislature in the United States after winning a seat at the Minnesota House in Minneapolis, which has a large Somali community. Her victory Tuesday in the 5th district of Minnesota also makes her one of the first two Muslim women elected to Congress, alongside Democrat Rashida Tlaib, who won a seat in the Detroit area.

"It's wonderful – it's a great opportunity, but in reality, I'm not going from one first to another," Omar said in an interview with The Associated Press. "I am going from the state of the United States to sit in Congress and serve the citizens of the Fifth, which is a great honor and a great opportunity. (…) It's something that excites a lot of people, but, you know, it's often important for us to take this moment, celebrate it, and move on. "

Omar said that she was eager to go to Washington "to join a bold and very diverse progressive caucus" and to work to increase funding for infrastructure projects, expanding the availability of health care services. health and strengthening education.

And she said she planned to "hold this administration to account and build a real control system." Although she said the Democrats would have the opportunity to compromise with President Donald Trump on some issues, such as infrastructure, she added, "We have a real opportunity to ensure that our congress does its job." .

While Nancy Pelosi is well positioned to return to the president's office after the Democrats resumed parliament, Omar, like many Democratic candidates, has publicly been reluctant to pledge to support Pelosi. She said that she admired Pelosi for her "wonderful work ethic" and that she looked forward to discussions within the Democratic caucus on the election of a party leader "who will help us implement the bold and progressive policies we have been pursuing, on the verge of being. "

Omar will succeed Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, who was elected next Tuesday as the Minnesota Attorney General. Like Ellison, she said, she will probably use a Qur'an for her swearing ceremonies.

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