The Squad members including Ilhan Omar reelected to US congress
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Washington: Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib and Ayanna Pressley- all women of colour, called as 'The Squad' in US Congress, have won reelection to US Congress, according to reports.
These women were the focus of intense criticism and allegations from President Donald Trump and Republican party and also attracted controversy over their criticism of the US relationship with Israel.
Their heritage was questioned by none other than Trump, who said they "go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came."
Ilhan Omar, who came to the US more than two decades ago as a refugee and became an American citizen in 2000 at the age of 17, is the first Somali-American member of Congress. She represents Minnesota's 5th Congressional District.
Rashida Tlaib, of Michigan 13th Congressional District, is the first Palestinian-American woman to serve in Congress and the first Muslim woman to serve in the Michigan state legislature.
Ilhan and Rashida are the first two Muslim women ever elected to the Congress.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the youngest woman ever elected to the Congress, is the daughter of working class Puerto Rican parents, according to CNN. She represents New York's 14th Congressional District.
Ayanna Pressley is the first black congresswoman to represent Massachusetts' 7th congressional district since 2019. She was the first woman of colour to serve Boston City Council when she was elected in November 2009. She was supported by grassroot movements including Democracy for America, Brand New Congress and the Justice Demcrats.
"The Squad" members form a unified front to push for progressive changes such as "Medicare for all", minimum pension, students loan waiver, affordable housing, among others.
