Sen. Susan Collins Susan Margaret CollinsThe Hill's Campaign Report: Trump faces backlash after not committing to peaceful transition of power Billionaire who donated to Trump in 2016 donates to Biden Credit union group to spend million on Senate, House races MORE (R-Maine) said Thursday that Israel should allow Reps. Rashida Tlaib Rashida Harbi TlaibTrump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' George Conway: 'Trump is like a practical joke that got out of hand' Pelosi endorses Kennedy in Massachusetts Senate primary challenge MORE (D-Mich.) and Ilhan Omar Ilhan OmarOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Trump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' Democrats scramble on COVID-19 relief amid division, Trump surprise MORE (D-Minn.) to visit the country after the Israeli government announced they would be barred.

Collins also criticized the Trump administration after it urged Israel to deny entry to the two congresswomen, who have been used as political foils by the president.

“Israel should allow U.S. Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar to visit. The Trump Administration made a mistake in urging Israel to prevent them from entering the country,” Collins tweeted.

Israel should allow U.S. Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar to visit. The Trump Administration made a mistake in urging Israel to prevent them from entering the country. — Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) August 15, 2019

“Instead, the Administration should have encouraged Israel to welcome the visit as an opportunity for Reps. Tlaib and Omar to learn from the Israeli people. We have to be willing to talk if we want people to change their views,” she added.

Instead, the Administration should have encouraged Israel to welcome the visit as an opportunity for Reps. Tlaib and Omar to learn from the Israeli people.



We have to be willing to talk if we want people to change their views. — Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) August 15, 2019

ADVERTISEMENT

Democrats have blasted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Benjamin (Bibi) NetanyahuMORE's government over the decision, while most Republicans have been silent on the issue, with a few exceptions.

Sen. Marco Rubio Marco Antonio RubioGOP lawmakers distance themselves from Trump comments on transfer of power McConnell pushes back on Trump: 'There will be an orderly transition' Graham vows GOP will accept election results after Trump comments MORE (R-Fla.) also criticized the decision to bar the congresswomen from entering the country, arguing it played into their own criticisms of Israel.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Alexandria Ocasio-CortezOn The Money: Anxious Democrats push for vote on COVID-19 aid | Pelosi, Mnuchin ready to restart talks | Weekly jobless claims increase | Senate treads close to shutdown deadline McCarthy says there will be a peaceful transition if Biden wins Anxious Democrats amp up pressure for vote on COVID-19 aid MORE (D-N.Y.) on Thursday announced she would not travel to Israel unless all members of Congress were allowed.

Rep. Ayanna Pressley Ayanna PressleyFauci, Black Lives Matter founders included on Time's 100 Most Influential People list Trump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' Pressley applauded on House floor after moving speech on living with alopecia MORE (D-Mass.) tweeted that all members of Congress should be calling the decision out.

“Any leader committed to advancing democracy would welcome with open arms two democratically elected United States Congresswomen," she tweeted. "And every single member of Congress should be calling this out.”

Collins is up for reelection in 2020 and has become a top target for Democrats hoping to flip the Senate after she cast a decisive vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh Brett Michael KavanaughTrump faces tricky choice on Supreme Court pick The Hill's 12:30 Report: Trump stokes fears over November election outcome The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Trump previews SCOTUS nominee as 'totally brilliant' MORE in 2018.