Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) recounted a tense moment on the House floor when Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar allegedly shouted and insulted him while he spoke about his proposed Somalia Immigration Moratorium Act (H.R. 7359). Speaking to Blaze TV host Sara Gonzales, Gill said the confrontation occurred while he was delivering remarks on the bill, which would place a 25-year moratorium on immigration relief for Somali nationals.
“I was giving a, a speech on the House floor about this bill in particular, and she was in the audience, and she was screaming,” Gill said. He explained that Omar’s behavior went beyond just giving him a dirty look, as she reportedly called him names and disrupted his remarks. “She is, she’s not a big fan of me… I will say, to say the least,” he added.
I asked @RepBrandonGill if Ilhan Omar gives him any dirty looks on the floor because of his bill to halt Somali migration.
— Sara Gonzales (@SaraGonzalesTX) February 24, 2026
“It’s worse.”
He said she screams at him and insults him.
You can take the pirate outta Somalia but you can’t take Somalia outta the pirate.
DEPORT! pic.twitter.com/qiSUKDokXU
Gill emphasized that the moratorium is intended as a measured response, aimed at giving immigrant communities time to assimilate into American culture. “We brought in a lot of people from all over the world. Why don’t we allow them to assimilate?” he said. The bill would restrict visas and immigration relief for Somali nationals for 25 years, with exceptions for those already lawfully present in the U.S. or traveling on certain diplomatic or nonimmigrant visas.
The Somalia Immigration Moratorium Act was introduced by Rep. Gill on February 4, 2026, and referred to the House Judiciary Committee. The legislation seeks to amend section 212 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, prohibiting immigration relief for Somali citizens for 25 years after enactment, with limited exceptions for existing lawful residents and certain visa holders.
According to Gill, the legislation is a response to long-standing concerns over assimilation and integration in communities with large Somali populations. He cited Minnesota as a case study, noting that many Somali immigrants remain reliant on welfare programs even after years in the U.S., which he argued places a burden on American taxpayers.
Gaines’ statements and Gill’s bill highlight the growing political divide over immigration policy. In the wake of Gill’s remarks, Omar took to social media to criticize Republicans and defended her stance, reflecting ongoing clashes between lawmakers on the issue. The Somali immigration moratorium remains a controversial proposal, sparking debate over its cultural and economic implications for the United States.
Gill’s interview with Blaze TV also included a lighter moment, with host Sara Gonzales joking about delivering a symbolic one-way ticket to Somalia along with bananas and rice. Despite the humor, the underlying political tensions around immigration policy and enforcement remain palpable.
As the bill progresses through the legislative process, debates over assimilation, cultural compatibility, and American taxpayer interests are expected to intensify. H.R. 7359 remains under consideration in the House Judiciary Committee, with no further action reported yet.
Later the same evening, Omar publicly confronted President Donald Trump during his State of the Union address, telling him he should be ashamed after he criticized Democrats for remaining seated when he said the government’s first duty is to protect American citizens rather than illegal immigrants. Omar posted about the exchange herself on social media following the speech.
Donald Trump killed two of my constituents. He is a liar and should be ashamed of himself. pic.twitter.com/Y94PNI2XtQ
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) February 25, 2026
The episode added another layer of tension to an already volatile day, linking Gill’s remarks on the House floor with Omar’s public rebuke of Trump hours later as immigration policy continued to dominate political discourse.
