FMEP Legislative Round-Up: February 28, 2020

Resource

1. Bills, Resolutions, & Letters
2. The 2020 AIPAC Policy Conference
3. Hearings
4. On the Record

*Brought to you in cooperation with Americans for Peace Now, where the Round-Up was born!

Shameless Plug: Are you worried about free speech? Well, you should be. See my latest report/analysis in Jewish Currents: States Are Moving to Class Criticism of Israel as Antisemitism

1. Bills, Resolutions, & Letters

(IRAN SANCTIONS) S. Res. 509: Introduced 2/27 by Toomey (R-PA) and 3 bipartisan cosponsors, “A resolution calling upon the United Nations Security Council to adopt a resolution on Iran that extends the dates by which Annex B restrictions under Resolution 2231 are currently set to expire.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. [Text is here.] Press release is here.

(FTA WITH TUNISIA) S. Res. 506: Introduced 2/27 by Murphy (D-CT) and Graham (R-SC), “A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States should initiate negotiations to enter into a free trade agreement with the Republic of Tunisia.” Referred to the Committee on Finance.

Letters

(RESTORE HUMANITARIAN AID TO GAZA) Pocan-Dingell letter to Pompeo: On 2/20, Reps. Dingell (D-MI) and Pocan (D-WI) sent a letter to SecState Pompeo, according to a press release: “urging the administration to immediately restore all U.S. funding for humanitarian aid in Gaza, including United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) funding. The letter also urges an end to the blockade on the movement of people and goods in and out of Gaza.” [Links on both members’ websites (here and here) to a pdf of the actual etter appear to be broken].

2. The 2020 AIPAC Policy Conference

AIPAC’s 2020 Policy Conference takes place March 1-3 in Washington. The event website is here.

Where Are the Presidential Candidates?

As everyone who follows these issues is no doubt aware, on February 23rd, Senator Sanders (I-VT) publicly declined to attend the event, explaining/contextualized his decision in 2 tweets: “The Israeli people have the right to live in peace and security. So do the Palestinian people. I remain concerned about the platform AIPAC provides for leaders who express bigotry and oppose basic Palestinian rights. For that reason I will not attend their conference” and “As president, I will support the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians and do everything possible to bring peace and security to the region.”

Sanders’ tweets sparked vocal outrage from some members of Congress, including Democrats (see section 4, below, for statements/tweets). Their outrage today stands in stark contrast to their silence, year after year, in the face of AIPAC conferences, legislative initiatives, and activism that have undermined peace efforts of successive presidents (from both parties), while actively legitimizing and promoting voices aligned with – surprise! – the illiberal, Greater Israel worldview that dominates US policy today.

Notably, Sanders is not the only candidate for president who won’t be making an appearance at AIPAC. Back on February 7th, Senator Warren (D-MA), responding to a question in a town hall meeting, indicated she would not be attending. And this week, Senators Klobuchar (D-MN) and South Bend mayor Buttigieg indicated they won’t go either. Indeed, of this writing (noon on 2/28), the only Democratic candidate listed on the speakers list for the 2020 Policy Conference is Mike Bloomberg. This is – by any measure – not the norm for AIPAC in an election year. In the past, all serious candidates showed up at AIPAC (including Donald Trump, who in 2016 was enthusiastically welcomed by the AIPAC audience). Indeed, in 2016, the fact that Sanders did not do so (he offered to appear by video but AIPAC rejected this) was treated as a very big deal.

Some pundits are suggesting that aside from Sanders and Warren, the absence of so many candidates at the Conference is a non-story, merely reflecting the fact that the conference is timed so closely with Super Tuesday. Assuming there is any validity to this argument – i.e., that anyone with common sense would know that in the days immediately prior to Super Tuesday, attending a policy conference in Washington cannot be priority for candidates — one has to ask: why did AIPAC choose to schedule this year’s conference on dates it knew would be problematic for Democratic candidates? Was this merely an oversight in scheduling, committed by an organization renowned for its political savvy? Or could it be a calculated effort by AIPAC to inject itself and its policies into the public debate immediately before Super Tuesday voting? Or is it possible AIPAC — after having noted that many presumptive 2020 candidates chose not to attend AIPAC’s 2019 policy conference (a phenomenon many pundits at the time dismissed as unimportant, arguing that non-attendance in a non-election year was meaningless) — deliberately chose these dates to give itself political cover in the event that, once again, candidates declined to attend?

What’s on AIPAC’s 2020 lobbying agenda?

AIPAC released its 2020 lobbying agenda mid-day on February 28th. That agenda consists of:

  • Supporting aid to Israel: AIPAC is asking members to support $3.8 billion in aid to Israel without any added conditions [bolded text matches bolding in the AIPAC document] This is an amazingly weak ask, not going so far as to even ask members to sign a letter or cosponsor/vote for a resolution, let alone binding legislation. [That said, it should be recalled that there is legislation pending that achieves this ask and more –  S.3176  & HR 1837)
  • Extending Iranian arms embargo: AIPAC is calling for Senators to support a resolution introduced 2/27, calling on the UN to extend the arms embargo against Iran (S. Res. 509) and calling on House members to sign a companion letter to Secretary of State Pompeo.
  • Targeting the ICC: AIPAC will be pushing sign-on letters in both the House and Senate attacking the International Criminal Court (for its consideration of a case regarding Israeli policies vis-a-vis the Palestinians). Again, this is a relatively weak ask, given that AIPAC has successfully pushed Congress (for years) to treat ICC action on Israel a red line (it should be recalled that annual foreign operations appropriations legislation consistently includes language imposing sanctions on the Palestinians if they support action at the ICC, and it was precisely this issue that was the pretext for the Trump Administration closing down the PLO mission in Washington).
  • Not on the official lobby agenda – Targeting Hamas: Rumor has it that AIPAC may be lobbying for support of S. 2680, the “Palestinian International Terrorism Support Prevention Act of 2019.” This bill is already part of AIPAC’s legislative agenda (appearing on its website as a legislative ask even before this year’s conference). The House passed its version of this bill, HR 1850, back on 7/23/19

What does this all mean?

The modest nature of this agenda is striking, lending credence to rumors that AIPAC had a hard time getting members on board for anything. In this regard, the recent kerfuffle over AIPAC’s ads attacking Dems is rumored to have made an already difficult situation worse.

Indeed, given the recent release of the UN’s database of businesses working in settlements (which AIPAC refers to as a “blacklist”), it is striking to see this year’s AIPAC lobby agenda omit the Israel Anti-Boycott Act — a flagship piece of legislation announced some years back by Cardin (D-MD) from the stage at AIPAC and lobbied by AIPAC (unsuccessfully) for multiple years. That legislation, of course, has nothing to do with boycotts of Israel and everything to do with delegitimizing and criminalizing differentiation between Israel and settlements, as required under international law and as reflected in the EU’s differentiation policy and as reflected in the UN database.

The fact that the IABA — which was reintroduced in the House January 13th as a highly partisan bill (HR 5595, with 62 cosponsors, of which only 1 is a Democrat) — is not part of this year’s lobby agenda suggests AIPAC is having very serious problems rallying members to support its priorities (and signals that last year’s efforts by AIPAC around S. 1 – which included the controversial “Combating BDS Act” has left its mark).

[For background of HR  5595,, see my analysis: The NEW Israel Anti-Boycott Act – what it actually says/does. Also see my earlier (and once again relevant) analysis: U.S. Politicians Are Backing a Free Speech Exception for Israel — & Creating a Template for Broader Assault on the First Amendment. It is also possible there may be a new version of the bill (updated to reflect the release of the database).

What members of Congress are on the AIPAC Conference schedule?

As is always the case, a number of members of Congress are scheduled to speak at AIPAC (this is apart from members who will attend the gala dinner, at which there will be the annual roll call of members present; we won’t know until that dinner takes place whether there has been anything significant about attendance/non-attendance). According to the Conference website (as of 11am, 2/28), the following members are listed as speakers (many of whom also made statements or issued tweets supporting/defending AIPAC and/or condemning Sanders for criticizing AIPAC):

House Democrats: Craig (D-MN), Deutch (D-FL), Engel (D-NY), Frankel (D-FL), Gottheimer (D-NJ), Hoyer (D-MD), Jeffries (D-NY), Lawrence (D-MI), Lowey (D-NY), Luria (D-VA), Pappas (D-NH), Sherman (D-CA), Sherrill (D-NJ), Slotkin (D-MI), Smith (D-WA), Spanberger (D-VA), Vargas (D-CA), Wasserman-Schultz (D-FL)

House Republicans: Cheney (R-WY), Foxx (R-NC), Will Hurd (R-TX), Kustoff (R-TN), McCarthy (R-CA), McCaul (R-TX), Scalise (R-LA), Wagner (R-MO), Waltz (R-FL), Zeldin (R-NY)

Senate Democrats: Booker (D-NJ), Menendez (D-NJ), Rosen (D-NV), Schumer (D-NY)

Senate Republicans: Cruz (R-TX), McConnell (R-KY), Sullivan (R-AK)

3. Hearings

3/13: The House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations will hold its “Public Witness Day” on 3/13.

2/28: The House Foreign Affairs Committee held a hearing entitled “Evaluating the Trump Administration’s Policies on Iran, Iraq and the Use of Force.” The sole witness was Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (statement – 4 pages, large font and double-spaced, clocking in at 670 words none of which convey anything new or of substance, but conveying a fair amount of contempt for Congress’ role as an oversight body). Video of the hearing is here.

4. On the Record...

Opposing UNHRC’s database of businesses supporting settlements (2/15-2/28)

Senator Cruz (R-TX) is gunning for the UN database on businesses working in settlements:

  • On 2/25, Cruz (R-TX) tweeted: “The UN Human Rights Council should immediately take down its anti-Semitic database & halt investigations into businesses operating in Israeli territories & the U.S. should withhold funds as long as the database remains online.”
  • That tweet was accompanied by a link to an article — the lead author of which is one of Trump’s personal lawyers — arguing that the database is illegitimate and alleging that groups that provided information for the database have links to terror, and U.S. authorites should investigate the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights for violating US laws barring material support for terror. The article recommends (a) withholding funds for the UN until it takes down the database; (b) going after UNHRC members in court for damages against settlement-related businesses; (c) punishing UNHRC officials with visa restrictions – arguing: “President Trump’s recent executive order on combating anti-Semitism incorporated the international definition of anti-Semitism, and it states that his administration is committed to combating the rise of anti-Semitism and anti-Semitic incidents in the United States and around the world. What better way to implement that policy than to stand up for our allies and to state that anti-Semites are not welcome on our shores?” [the latter argument bolstering the analysis the the objective of turning the IHRA definition into US policy/law is NOT to fight actual hostility and threats to Jews because they are Jews — of the kind that is today driving lethal attacks in the U.S.right-wing radicals — but to shut down criticism of Israel.
  • On 2/27, the Federalist published an op-ed endorsing Cruz’s call for Trump to issue an executive order declaring it US law to oppose the UN (partial) database of businesses working in settlements and to punish the UN with funding cuts and visa restrictions (gleefully tweeted out by Cruz as well).

Bacon (R-NE) 2/20: “The UNHRC’s bigoted database of companies who provide services to those living in the Israeli communities located in Judea and Samaria is a perfect picture of irony. While they target Israel, they ignore businesses in the world’s other disputed territories. This blacklist is a roadmap for those who support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement (BDS) against Israel, and only encourages a harmful pattern of condemnation.”

Davidson (R-OH) 2/14: “It is disappointing that the U.N. Human Rights Council compiled and distributed a document targeting companies—including 6 American companies—for conducting business in and around the West Bank. This ‘report’ amounts to little more than a potential boycott list for supporters of the loathsome Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) Movement against Israel. It’s worth noting that if BDS proponents get their way, they will succeed in only further isolating Israel, at the cost of straining diplomatic relations in a highly volatile region.”

Bustos (D-IL) 2/14: “The report released this week by the United Nations Human Rights Council on the activities of businesses operating in Israel and in territory recognized as over the Green Line does not advance the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Last year, I cast my vote in favor of the House’s resolution to oppose the Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement (BDS) and stand by our strongest Democratic ally in the region.”

Nobody Dare Say that Congress Doesn’t Stand With AIPAC!
(in alphabetical order; names in BOLD are Democrats, names with a * are members who directly bashed Sen. Sanders)

*Blackburn (R-TN) 2/24: Tweet – “Calling @AIPAC a ‘platform for bigotry’ is disgraceful. I will be in attendance at #AIPAC2020 and will continue to stand for a strong US-Israel alliance, for which AIPAC remains a steadfast advocate.”

*Boozman (R-AR) 2/24: Tweet – “.@AIPAC gives voice to the bipartisan view that the US-Israel relationship must always remain strong. Puzzling to hear a defender of the Castro regime and the USSR paint these Pro-Israel advocates as intolerant. I reject that unequivocally and stand with my friends at #AIPAC2020”

*Calvert (R-CA) 2/26: Tweet – “The fact that Bernie Sanders attacks the democratically elected Prime Minister of Israel and praises Fidel Castro speaks volumes about his poor judgement.”

*Deutch (D-FL) 2/24: “I saw Senator Sanders’ statements this morning about Israel and next week’s AIPAC conference. Israelis and Palestinians do have the right to live in peace and security. The rocket attacks from Palestinian Islamic Jihad against Israel threaten the security of innocent Israelis and Palestinians. I strongly condemn these ongoing attacks. I’ll be at AIPAC Policy Conference. I’ll use that platform to talk about bipartisan support for a strong US-Israel relationship, bipartisan support for a two-state solution, and my bill that passed the House unanimously – a bill that strengthens the security of Israelis and Palestinians by putting into statute the Israeli security assistance negotiated by President Obama and by eliminating roadblocks to Palestinian humanitarian assistance. Thousands of the participants will be proud Democrats like me who strongly support Israel and also reject bigotry in all forms, and progressive Democrats like me who know you can care deeply about Israel and a brighter future for Palestinians while advocating for two states living side-by-side in peace and security as a result of direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. I will continue to strongly support Israel’s security in the face of ongoing attacks and other serious threats. And unlike Senator Sanders, I look forward to sharing my views with the pro-Israel Democrats, Republicans, and Independents who will be gathering in Washington next week.”

Engel (D-NY)  2/25: Tweet – “Looking forward to seeing constituents from #NY16 at the @AIPAC policy conference next week. Together, from all political stripes, we work toward bipartisan support for a strong US/Israel relationship.”

Frankel (D-FL) 2/25: Tweet – “My support for our ally #Israel is unwavering, & the enduring bond between our two nations is vital to our national security. I’m looking forward to attending the @AIPAC conference this weekend, and discussing how we can further strengthen this critical relationship.”

Garcia (D-TX) 2/24: Tweet – “I am proud of the friendship I’ve built with @AIPAC members over the years. They set the standard for responsible, principled, and bipartisan civic engagement. I look forward to seeing them at #AIPAC2020!”

Gonzalez (D-TX) 2/24: Tweet – “I stand with @AIPAC because the U.S. – Israel relationship must always have the strong, bipartisan support of the United States.”

Gottheimer (D-NJ) 2/24: Tweet – “I look forward to joining so many friends from New Jersey and speaking at this year’s @AIPAC Policy Conference next week. Americans of all backgrounds support strengthening the historic, bipartisan U.S.-Israel relationship, which is key to America’s national security.”

*Graham (R-SC) 2/27: Twitter thread – “Hard to believe that the leading candidate for the Democratic party has called the duly elected @IsraeliPM a racist. Prime Minister

@netanyahu is the longest serving Prime Minister in the history of Israel and has made it his life’s work to protect the one and only Jewish state. Israel is under siege by radical Islamic elements. To fight back is not racist – it is strength and determination. Bernie Sanders would be a horrible Commander in Chief as he doesn’t understand the threats we face and sees our military and intelligence community as fat to be cut to fund his drive to socialism.”

Hastings (D-FL) 2/24: Tweet – “Having traveled to Israel 19 times, I understand the critical importance of the US-Israel relationship. I’ve had many substantive mtgs w/ AIPAC to discuss support for Israel & Jewish communities across the globe. We must ensure that the US-Israel relationship continues to prosper”

Jeffries (D-NY) 2/27: Tweet – “The Annual AIPAC Policy Conference starts this weekend. Many of my constituents from Brooklyn will be in town to discuss the strategic importance of the US-Israel relationship during perilous times in the Middle East. And I look forward to joining them”

*Kinzinger (R-IL) 2/23: Tweet  – “This is truly frightening. Christians, Jews, Muslims, and every other religion live together in Israel defended by the IDF. AIPAC defends against people like you. It’s not bigotry, it’s inspiring. @realDonaldTrump wins in a landslide.”

*Kustoff (R-TN) 2/24: Tweet – “While @SenSanders announces he is boycotting #AIPAC2020, I am prouder than ever to speak at @AIPAC next week and show my strong support for Israel.”

*Loudermilk (R-GA) 2/26: Twitter thread – “The recent comments by Senator Bernie Sanders on @AIPAC are indicative of his far-left ideology. Israel has been one of our closest allies, and AIPAC is a big reason for the strength of our bond…… If Senator Sanders cannot engage with those he might disagree with, he has no business running for president of the U.S. I will continue to support our U.S.-Israel relationship, and I look forward to attending this year’s #AIPAC conference in D.C.”

Lee (D-NV) 2/25: Tweet – “Lasting peace is only possible through respect. That respect starts with the desire to listen to every side, especially when it comes to an issue as sensitive as Israeli-Palestinian peace. I’ll be attending the @AIPAC conference because I stand by the power of sharing ideas.”

Lieu (D-CA) 2/24: Tweet – “The U.S.-Israel relationship is critical to our national security. @AIPAC helps promote that relationship. I will be attending the AIPAC conference next week.”

*Luria (D-VA) 2/25: “As a proud Jewish member and staunch supporter of Israel, I condemn Senator Sanders’ comments and urge him to reconsider his derogatory remarks. Senator Sanders’ comments only contribute to the divisive rhetoric often used when discussing the issue of Israel’s right to exist. I believe that a two-state solution is the most viable option for peace between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, and that goal becomes less achievable when representatives like Sen. Sanders question the motivation of Jewish voices in this discussion. AIPAC’s Policy Conference is an opportunity to learn from people across the entire political spectrum about issues facing Israel and the premises that form the basis of the bipartisan U.S.-Israel relationship. I look forward to attending this year’s AIPAC Policy Conference and encourage my colleagues to join me in maintaining bipartisan support for a strong U.S.-Israel relationship.” [tweet here]

*Luria (D-VA) 2/24: Tweet – “Hurling insults and derogatory remarks like this is not productive to maintaining bipartisan support for a strong US-Israel relationship. I strongly condemn @BernieSanders  tweets about @AIPAC and encourage my colleagues to join me in attending this bipartisan policy conference.”

McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) 2/25: Tweet – “#AIPAC2020 is next week! I look forward to attending and seeing local members of @AIPAC”

Morelle (D-NY) 2/25: Tweet thread – “Anyone who has ever attended @AIPAC policy conference will tell you about the bi-partisan discussion regarding Israel, its neighbors, and how to bring lasting peace. Divisive rhetoric like we’ve heard in recent days does nothing to bring us closer to a two-state solution. I look forward to attending next week’s policy conference and encourage others to do the same as we share our thoughts and ideas on how to make Israel and the surrounding region as safe and as prosperous as it can be.”

Pappas (D-NH) 2/24: Tweet – “I’m looking forward to talking with Americans from all backgrounds next week at @AIPAC Policy Conference about the historic, bipartisan U.S.-Israel relationship and why it is so important to our national security.”

Rice (D-NY) 2/24: Tweet – “I am grateful to @AIPAC for promoting a strong US-Israel alliance, and I will be proudly attending the #AIPAC2020 conference.”

*Riggleman (R-VA) 2/24: Tweet – “Its clear that @BernieSanders has never attended an @AIPAC Conference. The conference offers a wide array of views from introspective, non-partisan speakers who support America’s ally Israel. I will proudly attend this years’ conference. AIPAC and bigotry are mutually exclusive.”

Rose (D-NY) 2/24: Tweet – “As someone who has actually attended @AIPAC events, I’ve personally seen the diversity of opinions they represent and the important work they do supporting Israel. I look forward to proudly attending next week’s conference.”

*Scalise (R-LA) 2/26: “while the major leading candidate for President United States on the Democrat side is embracing some of the policies of the Castro regime, that same week he’s criticizing an organization like AIPAC who fights for freedom, who fights to have not only this great bond between the United States and Israel be maintained, and supporting our dear friend Israel as a Jewish state, but literally picking sides in this fight for determination of whether or not there will be a two-state solution, whether there will be a Palestinian state. To attack an organization like AIPAC, just baffles the mind that that’s something that a major candidate for president would do if you understand the history of what AIPAC fights for. And so, I want to strongly embrace and support the things that AIPAC stands for as they come to Washington so often to express that support, that unifying bond, that bipartisan bond between the United States and Israel that is shared here in Congress and what they represent.”

Scalise (R-LA) 2/24: Tweet – “The United States’ strong defense of our ally Israel will always be unwavering and bipartisan—no matter what radicals who are against a peaceful Jewish State might say. I’m looking forward to speaking at the #AIPAC2020 conference next week!”

*Scott (R-FL) 2/24: Tweet – “.@SenSanders recent comments reflect a startling ignorance. His comments supporting the Castro regime, and criticizing @AIPAC for ‘bigotry,’ are disgusting. The US must reject this behavior, and stand with those fighting for freedom, democracy & human rights.”

*Scott (R-FL) 2/24: Americans Must Reject Disgusting Rhetoric and Behavior by Bernie Sanders [“Bernie Sanders has made it clear that he is shamefully ignorant and has no respect for those fighting for freedom. His comments in support of the brutal Castro regime, and now his accusations against AIPAC for ‘bigotry,’ are disgusting, but not surprising from a far-left socialist pushing an anti-Israel agenda. The United States must reject this behavior and rhetoric, and stand with those fighting for freedom, democracy and human rights.”]

Slotkin (D-MI) 2/27: Tweet – “Did you know there are three current members of Congress who all served at the CIA, on both sides the aisle? Looking forward to sharing our experiences next week at @AIPAC conference.

*Stefanick (R-NY) 2/25: Tweet – “I proudly host @AIPAC supporters in my office every year to discuss the importance of strengthening the US-Israel relationship. Israel is a miracle and our most important ally. This is absolutely shameful from the leading Democratic candidate for President.”

*Steube (R-FL) 2/24: Tweet – “Israeli civilians and the Jewish people are under constant attack. Sadly, this time it’s from the leading Democratic candidate for President, @BernieSanders. Shameful. The need for a strong US-Israeli relationship could not be greater. @AIPAC, we stand with you!”

Stevens (D-MI) 2/25: Tweet- “I visited Israel for the first time last year, and had a productive meeting with my constituents about the importance of the US-Israel relationship for our economy and national security. I look forward to participating in #AIPAC2020.”

Trone (D-MD) 2/24: Tweet – “The cause of peace is always enhanced by more dialogue, not less. I will attend @AIPAC ’s conference because I believe in the importance of working together to strengthen the US-Israel relationship & in the need to promote a two-state solution to achieve peace in the Middle East.”

Waltz (R-FL) 2/25: Tweet (linked to AIPAC announcement that he is a confirmed speaker) – “Can’t wait! #AIPACProud”

Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) 2/25: Tweet – “I am looking forward to seeing my constituents at #AIPAC2020. I plan to talk about strengthening bipartisan support for the U.S.-Israel relationship. Amidst the 90+ rockets fired from Gaza into Israel this week, enhancing Israel’s security is all the more critical.”

*Zeldin (R-NY) 2/24: Tweet – “This is as gross a take as it is inaccurate. Israel is our nation’s greatest ally; a beacon of freedom, liberty, hope & prosperity. @AIPAC is filled w/amazing ppl determined to strengthen & secure the US-Israel alliance. I’ll proudly be attending & speaking at Policy Conference.”

Odds & Ends

Daines (R-MT) 2/25: Tweet (during Democratic debate) – “I stand with Israel, and so does @realDonaldTrump!”

Graham (R-SC) 2/25: Tweet (during Democratic debate) – “Wow. This #SCDemDebate has just thrown Israel under the bus. Very sad. Very dangerous.”

Blackburn (R-TN) 2/25: Tweet (during Democratic debate) – “Iran wants to destroy Israel and destroy America. The Democrats want to protect Iran. That’s wrong.”

Blackburn (R-TN) 2/25: Tweet (during Democratic debate) – “I stand with President @realDonaldTrump and Israel! #MAGA”

Scott (R-FL) 2/25: Tweet – “The people of Israel continue to live under constant threats of attacks. 90 rockets were fired at populated areas, many intercepted by the Iron Dome. As an ally & the Middle East’s strongest democracy, we stand with Israel. We must continue funding these vital defense systems.”

Kinzinger (R-IL) and Boyle (D-PA) 2/20: Joint Statement on Assad Regime’s Latest Offensive

Johnson (R-LA) 2/19: Johnson Meets with Netanyahu in Jerusalem