FMEP Legislative Round-Up: August 12, 2021

Resource

1. Bills, Resolutions & Letters
2. FY22 Senate Budget Resolution
3. Hearings & Markups
4. On the Record

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

More great FMEP programming:

1. Bills, Resolutions & Letters

(SENATE AMENDMENT-PA-LOOZA/VOTE-A-RAMA) S. Con. Res. 14: This week the Senate took up and passed S. Con. Res. 14, “A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2022 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2023 through 2031.” As reported in the February 5, 2021 edition of the Round-Up (in the context of the 2021 budget resolution), this bill always attracts a ton of non-germane, grandstanding amendments [or as a Washington Post journalist succinctly put it, “Short version — ‘deficit-neutral reserve funds’ are completely inconsequential amendments offered as a way to discuss budget-irrelevant topics without violating budget reconciliation rules around what you can and can’t include in a budget resolution.”] S. Con. Res. 14 was no different, with Senate Republicans introducing loads of amendments intended to score points at the expense of Senate Democrats (a total of 1166 amendments were offered). These includes a bunch of amendments related to (yep, you guessed it) Israel/Palestine and Iran. Of these, only one was considered/passed — but just as was the case in February, these amendments offer valuable hints about initiatives that will likely come up again (and again, and again). See Section 2, below, for details of the amendments.

(WATER & ENERGY APPROPS) S. 2605: Introduced 8/4 by Feinstein (D-CA), the “Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2022.” Notably, the Committee Report accompanying the bill states:  “International Affairs.–Within available funds, the Committee recommends $2,000,000 for the Israel Binational Industrial Research and Development [BIRD] Foundation and $4,000,000 to continue the U.S. Israel Center of Excellence in Energy Engineering and Water Technology.”

(WOMEN POLITICAL PRISONERS) S. Res. 342: Introduced 8/7 by Menendez (D-NJ) and 8 cosponsors (all Democrats), “Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the practice of politically motivated imprisonment of women around the world and calling on governments for the immediate release of women who are political prisoners.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Notably, the text specifically cites cases in Iran, Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Also see: Menendez press release; 9 Democrats back resolution slamming Egypt for unjust imprisonment of women (Middle East Monitor)

(WE <HEART> ISRAEL JOINING AFRICAN UNION) S. Res. 344 (text): Introduced 8/9 by Inhofe (R-OK) and Rounds (R-SD), “A resolution expressing support for the State of Israel joining the African Union under observer status.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Also see: Inhofe press release.

(INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION BILL) S. 2610: Introduced 8/4 by Warner (D-VA), “the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022.” Notably, Sec. 338(b) of the bill states: “Assessment required.—Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of National Intelligence, in consultation with other appropriate Federal Government entities, shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress an assessment of the activities and objectives of the Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research (SPND). This assessment shall include information about the composition of the organization, the relationship of its personnel to any research on weapons of mass destruction, and any sources of financial and material support that such organization receives, including from the Government of Iran.”

Letters

(BAD EU FOR NOT BOYCOTTING NEW IRAN PRESIDENT) Tenney et al letter to EU: On 8/12, Rep. Tenny (R-NY) led a letter, cosigned by 7 House Republicans, to the EU’s High Representative and Vice-President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell Fontelles, attacking the EU for legitimizing Iran’s last election by deciding to send a senior EU official to attend the inauguration of Iran’s new president, Ebrahim Raisi. The notably undiplomatic letter calls the EU’s decision “as baffling as it is irresponsible,” argues that it “minimizes the gravity of these heinous crimes” [that is, the many terrible crimes of which Raisi stands accused], and calls the EU’s actions “disgraceful and extraordinarily disheartening.” Also see: Tenney press release; tweet.

(QUASH CRITICISM OF ISRAEL IN NY PUBLIC SCHOOLS) Zeldin Letter to Secretary of Education et al (not reported previously): On 8/3, Rep. Zeldin (R-NY) sent a letter to Education Secretary Cardona, NY Education Commissioner Rosa, and NY Education Chancellor Porter noting that he is “deeply concerned to hear of the antisemitic and anti-Israel letter led by a group known as ‘New York City Educators for Palestine’ regarding the recent Hamas-Israel escalation and I urge you to do everything in your power to combat antisemitic and anti-Israel bias and discriminatin in public schools.” The letter goes on to suggest that criticism of Israel is ipso facto antisemitic, and cites the IHRA definition (via Trump’s Executive Order on antisemitism) to suggest that criticsm of Israel in schools violates Title Vi. Also see: Rep. Zeldin Seeks Investigation Into Anti-Semitism in NYC Public Schools – Lawmaker says anti-Israel teachers endanger Jewish students (Free Beacon)

 

2. FY22 Senate Budget Resolution

As noted above, on August 10-11, the Senate took up (and ultimately passed, by a vote of 50-49) S. Con, Res. 14, “A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2022 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2023 through 2031.” This bill always attracts a ton of non-germane, grandstanding amendments (framed in terms of establishing “deficit-neutral reserve funds” – a gambit used to get around the rules, as explained superbly here). This year was no different, as Senate Republicans introduced loads of amendments intended to score points at the expense of Senate Democrats. By the time the amendment period closed, a total of a whopping 1166 amendments had been offered.

The introduced amendments include a bunch of amendments related to Israel/Palestine and Iran. Of these, only one was considered/passed — but as always, the rest are useful hints of what is likely to come up again (and again, and again). IMPORTANT NOTE:  As of this writing, the Congressional Record still does not include the text for every amendment offered. Below is a summary of Middle East-related amendments as currently reflected in the Record. As more text becomes available, any other Middle East amendments that come to light will be covered in future editions of the Round-Up.

Amendments Adopted by the Senate

(NO AID TO PALESTINIAN TERRORIST) SA 3383 – Offered by Scott (R-FL), “To establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to preventing terrorist actions against the United States and its allies, and to ensure that United States tax dollars do not benefit terrorist organizations such as Hamas or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.” This is a grandstanding amendment to prevent US funds being spent in a manner that is already forbidden by U.S. law. Also see Scott vs. Menendez (D-NJ) on the Senate floor on the amendment: Scott: “… My amendment will ensure that any money authorized to the territory of Gaza will not end up in the hands of Hamas terrorists and allows for further sanctions against these terrorist groups. This amendment is a commonsense way to protect American tax dollars, stand with our great ally Israel, and to continue our fight against the evils of Hamas terrorism…” Mendendez: “Mr. President, the U.S. Government already has laws in place to prevent U.S. taxpayer dollars from going to terrorist organizations and laws that specifically prevent funds from going to  Hamas and Palestinian Jihad. So this is purely a messaging amendment that does absolutely nothing in practice, but it is a message we can all get behind. And because Democrats stand against terrorist organizations that threaten innocent civilians in Israel and anywhere else in the world, we support the amendment, and we would urge the Senator to take a voice vote.” Passed by a vote of 99-0 (after Scott demanded a roll call vote). Also see: Scott press release; Tweets celebrating this meaningless amendment: Scott, Scott, Cramer (R-ND)

Defeated in the Senate

(UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL) S. Amdt. 3626: Offered 8/10 by Sullivan (R-AK), “To establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to restricting United States funding to international organizations, such as the United Nations Human Rights Council, until the Department of State certifies that no members of the organization are state sponsors of terrorism, which may include a report from the Department of the Treasury on the prevalence of sanctioned entities in the organization.” Defeated by a vote of 49-50. Floor consideration is  here. Menendez’s argument against the amendment: “When Israel is wrongly signaled out at the U.N. Human Rights Commission, we will not be there to defend her. And when international standards are being created for high-tech issues, we will not lead the world, as we should. That is why this amendment should be defeated.”

Not Considered in the Senate

(VETO ON ANY IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL) SA 3057: Offered by Blackburn (R-TN), to establish a “deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to any agreement between the United States and Iran relating to nuclear or missile capabilities not moving forward without formal consideration by Congress.”

(BLOCKING A CONSULATE FOR PALESTINIANS IN JERUSALEM) SA 3304: Offered by Lee (R-UT),  to add a “point of order against funding the construction, maintenance, or operation of a Department of State Consulate for Palestinians in Jerusalem.”

(BARRING US FEDERAL $$ FOR ANY MANUFACTURER WHO BOYCOTTS ISRAEL OR SETTLEMENTS) SA 3357: Offered by Wicker (R-MS), to establish a “deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to prohibiting or limiting the use of federal funds for manufacturers that participate in boycotts against allies [‘which may include Israel’] of the United States.” NOTE: Like laws in US states, such a prohibition/limitation would be unconstitutional.

(BARRING US FEDERAL $$ FOR ANY MANUFACTURER WHO BOYCOTTS ISRAEL OR SETTLEMENTS) SA 3358:  Offered by Wicker (R-MS), to establish a “deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to prohibiting use of nutrition assistance funds to purchase products from manufacturers that participate in boycotts against allies [‘including Israel’].” NOTE: this appears to be an effort to support making it illegal for Americans to use SNAP benefits to buy Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. Like laws in US states, such a prohibition/limitation would be unconstitutional.

(BLOCKING NUCLEAR DEAL) SA 3398: Offered by Hagerty (R-TN), to establish a “deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to prohibiting sanctions relief for iran so long as the iranian regime and its proxies have taken hostage or otherwise wrongly detained any United States citizens.”

(SUPPORTING ISRAEL NORMALIZATION) SA 3400: Offered by Hagerty (R-TN), to establish a “deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to ensuring that the United States takes measures to sustain existing normalization agreements between Israel and other nations and expand the accords to include new normalization agreements between Israel and other nations.”

(“MAXIMUM PRESSURE” ON IRAN) SA 3428: Offered by Marshall (R-KS), to establish a “deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to imposing maximum pressure sanctions with respect to Iran.”

(ATTACKING FY22 DEFENSE BUDGET, INCL OVER IRAN/CHINA READINESS) SA 3570: Offered by Scott (R-FL), to establish a “deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to recognizing that the President’s fiscal year 2022 budget for defense funding for the United States military is inadequate to meet the long-term strategic needs to defeat our adversaries like China and Iran and to provide adequate resources to deter or defeat United States enemies.”

(BLOCKING IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL) SA 3594: Offered by Kennedy (R-LA), to establish a “deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to prohibiting easing sanctions on the Iranian regime rather than countering its human rights abuses and nuclear ambitions.”

(MORE $$ FOR IRON DOME) SA 3600: Offered by Lankford (R-OK), to establish a “deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to providing grants to the Israeli Defense Forces to replenish the Iron Dome short-range rocket defense system.”

(GITMO) SA 3606: Offered by Lankford (R-OK), to establish a “deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to  the use of funds to transfer or release individuals detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to certain countries [‘which may include Libya, Somalia, Syria, or Yemen’].”

(MORE $$ FOR ISRAEL AND IRON DOME) SA 3757: Offered by Wicker (R-MS), to establish a “deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to support for Israel.” Also see Wicker’s tweet.

(TARGETING UN GREEN CLIMATE FUND) SA 3760: Offered by Sullivan (R-AK), to establish a “deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to the United Nations’ green climate fund to ensure that contributions from the United States will not fund projects in China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia.”

3. Hearings & Markups

August 10: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism held a hearing entitled, U.S. Security Assistance in the Middle East. Witnesses were: Mira Resnick, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Regional Affairs, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (statement); and Dana Stroul, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East, Office of the Secretary of Defense (statement). Video is here. Opening statement: Chairman Murphy (D-CT). Also see: Additional Iron Dome aid now up to Congress, Biden admin says (Jewish Insider)

4. On the Record

Attacking Omar, Tlaib & Bush (Yet Again)

This week saw continuing and escalating attacks on Reps. Omar (D-MN), Tlaib (D-MI) and Bush (D-MO), including vicious attacks against them for having the temerity to defend themselves against such attacks.

Attacking Rep. Omar:

Attacking Rep. Tlaib:

Attacking Rep. Bush:

  • Twitter back-and-forth re: Cori Bush’s team meets with local Jewish org — On 8/10, the Executive Director of the St. Louis JCRC tweeted “Always an honor and pleasure to meet with the hardworking team of @RepCori. Thank you @AZAlawieh for hearing about the crucial work of @jcrcstl @JewishFedSTL @NCJWSTL @AJCGlobal”. In response, the ZOA’s director of government relations tweeted, “In fact, getting the meeting was very difficult. She is a real enemy, and didn’t even want to meet with the Jewish community.” In response, the ED of the St. Louis JCRC tweeted, “I don’t know why you feel qualified to say that as I scheduled the meeting and that is not accurate.”

Attacking the “Squad”:

  • Washington Times 8/11: The Antisemitic Squad: Targeting charities that support the Jewish people is ignorant of the law

Iran, Saudi, OPEC, Energy, etc

Gallagher (R-WI) 8/12: Gallagher Statement on Biden Urging OPEC to Increase Production

Steil (R-WI) 8/12: Tweet – “President Biden canceled the Keystone Pipeline on his 1st day in office. 7 months later, he is begging countries in the Middle East to pump more oil & Americans are being forced to pay more to fuel up.”

Young (R-IN) 8/12: Tweet – “Someone should ask the President why he thinks oil produced by foreign dictators in Russia, Iran, or Saudi Arabia is more desirable than oil drilled by American entrepreneurs.” Linked to article, Joe Biden Wants OPEC to Drill (Wall Street Journal)

McCarthy (R-CA) 8/11: Tweet – “President Biden canceled an American pipeline on Day One. Seven months later, he is now begging OPEC to pump more oil. We could have been more energy independent. We could have developed it cleaner. And with American workers. But Biden would rather put America last.”

Norman (R-SC) 8/11: Tweet – “Remember when America was considered an energy exporter?? Now, we’re asking the likes of Iraq and Iran to supply us with more oil.” Linked to White House statement re: global energy markets.

Murphy (R-NC) 8/11: Tweet – “Outrageous. Biden paused U.S. domestic energy production on his first day in office, and now he’s begging Saudi Arabia and #OPEC to drill more oil abroad. Why does Biden hate American energy independence?”

Cassidy (R-LA) 8/11: Cassidy Releases Statement on Biden Plea to OPEC to Increase Oil Production

Walberg (R-MI) 8/11: Tweet – “More hypocrisy from the Biden administration. They’ll plead with the Saudi’s and Russia to produce more oil, but the same time, they’ll cancel Keystone XL and undermine American energy and jobs.”

Cornyn (R-TX) 8/11: Twitter thread – “National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan: ‘Higher gasoline costs, if left unchecked, risk harming the ongoing global recovery. The price of crude oil has been higher than it was at the end of 2019, before the onset of the pandemic.’” and “The incoherent policies of the Biden administration policies from radical spending sprees, to war on domestic fossil fuels, to stoking inflation are responsible.” and “Winners in this “strategy” are Russia, Saudi Arabia and other OPEC members as US imports more and more energy rather than producing it domestically.”

Davis (R-IL) 8/11: Tweet – “What @POTUS is saying, through this statement and his EOs, is that it’s OK for Russia and Saudi Arabia to produce more oil, but not America or Canada. That is absurd. If Biden were truly committed to lowering energy costs, he would reverse his terrible oil and gas policies.”

Cornyn (R-TX) 8/9: Tweet – “Raisi hosts Palestinian terror chiefs, vows to keep cause at top of agenda”. Linked to article, ​​Raisi hosts Palestinian terror chiefs, vows to keep cause at top of agenda (Times of Israel)

Scott (R-FL) 8/9: Tweet – “This is terrible but not surprising. Iran cannot be trusted and the Biden administration cannot go back to negotiating a failed nuclear deal with the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism.” Linked to article, Raisi hosts Palestinian terror chiefs, vows to keep cause at top of agenda (Times of Israel)

Scott (R-FL) 8/8: Tweet – “Disgusting. Iran President Ebrahim Raisi has committed horrific human rights abuses & genocide. @EU’s attendance at his inauguration shows its terrible weakness toward the ruthless Iranian regime, ignoring Raisi’s brutal crimes.” Linked to article, EU to send senior official to inauguration of Iranian president (PoliticoEurope)

Frankel (D-FL) 8/6: Tweet – “I strongly condemn Iran’s deadly attack on a commercial vessel. Yet another illustration of Iran’s dangerous activity in the region.” Linked to article, US and G7 blame Iran for deadly attack on tanker off Oman (AP)

Deutch (D-FL) 8/6: Tweet – “There was no justification for this brazen attack on a commercial vessel. We stand with our partners in calling for accountability from the int’l community for Iran’s dangerous behavior.” Linked to article, Pentagon investigative team says Iran was behind attack on Mercer Street tanker (CNN)

Hagerty (R-TN) 8/6: Tweet – “I stand unequivocally with Israel as Hezbollah renews missile aggression against the Jewish State. The U.S needs to increase Iron Dome & other missile defense cooperation with Israel as Iran’s proxies continue to escalate.” Tweeted in response to IDF tweet threatening Hezbollah – “Hezbollah launched a barrage of rockets from Lebanon at northern Israel this morning. We will not tolerate any aggression against Israeli civilians and remain prepared for any operational situation.”

Egypt in the Spotlight

Fleischmann (R-TN) 8/12: Tweet – “Two months ago, Egypt and the U.S. pushed back against Hamas and stopped a major conflict from breaking out in the Middle East. Every day, Egypt provides overflight rights and Suez Canal access to the U.S. and our allies to support counterterrorism efforts.” & “As a member of the Friends of Egypt Caucus, I am proud to support our partnership with Egypt to stop terrorism and protect our citizens at home and abroad.”

Reschenthaler (R-PA) 8/11: Tweet – “The U.S.-Egypt strategic partnership is critical to combatting ISIS, countering adversary threats in the Mediterranean Sea, and supporting our ally Israel. As a Navy veteran, I’m proud to see the U.S. and Egypt working together next month to promote stability in the Middle East.”

On 8/11, the Egyptian Ambassador to the United States published a 7-tweet thread attacking those who criticize the Egyptian government and implicitly attacking members of Congress who criticize the government of Egypt and support conditions on a small part of US aid to Egypt. Most notably, he tweeted: “I praise the tremendous support to bolster the bilateral relations between our two nations that I witness firsthand from the Biden administration as well as …. the overwhelming majority of Congressional members who stand firm in refusing to be deceived by lies and falsehoods propagated by people who belong to a terrorist organization with a known record in disseminating hatred and inciting to violence …..through consistent outright lies and delusional tactics, by exploiting the values we all share, stand by and have inherent moral obligations to patronise, propagate for, and promote.” In response, Rep. Malinowski (D-NJ) tweeted, “Nothing conveys the entitled arrogance of Egypt’s dictatorship better than taking $1.3 billion a year in US taxpayers funds while accusing members of Congress concerned about human rights (including detention & torture of innocent Americans) of being deceived by ‘terrorists.’”

Ohio Special Election

Jewish Insider 8/9: Who’s in the majority now? Democratic Majority for Israel notched a big win in Ohio and Justice Dems is none too pleased

Haaretz/JTA 8/8: After Ohio Primary, Democrats Prepare for More Israel-related Battles

Three Cheers for Normalization!

Deutch (D-FL) 8/12: Tweet – “Another historic step in the process of normalization between Israel and Morocco! With the opening of Israel’s embassy in Rabat, I look forward to seeing this relationship grow.”

Rosen (D-NV) 8/12: Tweet – “Congratulations to Morocco & Israel — two close American partners. @yairlapid’s visit to Morocco to open the Israeli embassy is a historic step in the Arab-Israeli normalization process. I’ll continue advocating for U.S. leadership to deepen ties between Israel and its neighbors.”

Rice (D-NY) 8/12: Tweet – “Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid’s first visit to Morocco marks another major step forward since last year’s historic deal normalizing diplomatic relations. The US must continue to work with both Israel and Morocco to promote peace and enhance cooperation in the region.”

Wicker (R-MS) 8/11: Tweet – “This is a big move for diplomacy between Arab nations and Israel. Before the #AbrahamAccords, this visit would never have happened. I look forward to continued cooperation in the region.” Linked to thread published by US Embassy Morocco celebrating Yair Lapid visit to Morocco

Curtis (R-UT) 8/11: Tweet – “Pleased to see the first visit by a senior official from Israel since Israel & Morocco agreed to normalize ties last year. Over the past year we have witnessed the fruits of the #AbrahamAccords and I look forward to seeing the continual benefits of these normalization agreements.”

Miscellaneous On the Record

Newman (D-IL) 8/11: Tweet – “Despicable. Palestinian families are being ripped from their homes in the neighborhood of Silwan. The Israeli government is trampling on Palestinian rights and international law in East Jerusalem. @SecBlinken needs to make clear that these demolitions must end NOW.” Linked to photo of demolition in progress.

Garcia (D-IL) 8/11: Tweet – “Yes. Demolitions and human rights abuses must end in Silwan, Sheikh Jarrah and all the other neighborhoods facing violent crackdowns by Israeli forces on a regular basis.” Linked to Newman tweet (above)

Hagerty (R-TN) 8/11: Tweet – “Israel is one of our strongest allies, and we must always stand with them.” [he tweets something along these lines regularly]

Murphy (D-CT) 8/11: Murphy Discusses U.S. Middle East Policy

Cruz (R-TX) 8/10: Floor statement attacking Biden Admin record, including “On Iran, the Biden administration said their top foreign policy objective is sending billions of dollars to the Ayatollah Khomeini, even as he is the leading state-sponsor of terrorism to the world and chants, ‘Death to America.’  And on Hamas, the Biden administration has sent hundreds of millions of dollars to the Palestinian Authority, much of which has found its way to Hamas and has been materialized in rockets raining down on Israel.”

Scott (R-FL) 8/10: Floor statement – Recognizing Israel’s Aid Delegation [to Surfside building collapse]

Scott (R-FL) 8/10: Floor statement – Recognizing United Hatzalah [for role in aftermath of  Surfside building collapse]

Scott (R-FL) 8/10: Floor statement – Recognizing Zaka [an Israel-based search and rescue organization, for role in aftermath of  Surfside building collapse]

Hill (R-AR) 8/10: Tweet – “I shared an update on my recent trip to Israel and discussed my work on behalf of promoting religious freedoms during the recent Shabbat Service with Rabbi Barry Block. I’m grateful for the work this congregation and Rabbi Block are doing in central Arkansas.”

McCaul (R-TX) 8/9: Tweet – “For 40 years, the MFO have helped ensure the lasting success of this agreement. I had a great time meeting with MFO members from Egypt and Israel in Texas last week. The partnership between our militaries is critical to maintaining peace.”

McCollum (D-MN) 8/8: Tweet – “.@RepJudyChu: Thank you for cosponsoring #HR2590 to ensure U.S. military aid to Israel is not paying for human rights violations. For there to be lasting peace & security for Israelis & Palestinians alike, children must not live in constant fear of military detention.”

Weber (R-TX) 8/6: Tweet – “May GOD continue to protect Israel, the apple of His Eye… May GOD bless the USA as long as we stand with Israel.” Tweeted in response to IDF tweet threatening Hezbollah – “Hezbollah launched a barrage of rockets from Lebanon at northern Israel this morning. We will not tolerate any aggression against Israeli civilians and remain prepared for any operational situation.”

Khanna (D-CA) 8/6: Tweet – “Proud to support @RepJeffries’ 9/11 Transparency Act. If the government is sitting on any evidence of Saudi Arabia’s complicity in the 9/11 attacks, grieving 9/11 families + the American people deserve to know.”

Miscellaneous Media Reports

JTA 8/12: Prominent Jewish groups and senator rally behind a Muslim Biden nominee attacked by Republicans

Jewish Insider 8/12: J Street postpones Congressional trips to Israel

Jewish Insider 8/12: Murphy urges U.S. to deprioritize Iran, says Saudis should to ‘come to terms’ with Hezbollah influence