Rep. Earl Blumenauer (Ore.) @BlumenauerMedia 1111 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515Phone: (202) 225-4811 Fax: (202) 225-8941. Most members of Congress who publicly stated why they are skipping Netanyahu’s speech did so in the context of why they would not attend. Rep. Blumenauer, however, issued a lengthy statement calling on Speaker Boehner to cancel the speech. Here’s just a taste: “If the invitation was aimed to extract a better deal from Iran and protect our friend and ally Israel, then the speaker miscalculated, for it will do the opposite. If the invitation was aimed at scoring political points by undermining the administration, it’s deeply troubling that the speaker is willing to undercut diplomacy in exchange for theatrics on the House floor.” Rep. Blumenauer was a J Street-endorsed candidate in 2o14.
Rep. G.K. Butterfield (N.C.) @GKBUTTERFIELD 2305 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-3101 Rep. Butterfield, who is the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, said inviting Netanyahu to speak before Congress was an “unprecedented overreach of the Speaker’s authority” that “goes beyond the traditions of his office.”
Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN 7) @RepAndreCarson 2453 Rayburn HOB Washington, DC 20515phone: 202-225-4011 fax: 202-225-5633 Carson addressed the conflict in Gaza this past summer by calling for an end to hostilities, but acknowledging that this particular conflict began with the kidnapping and murder of the three Israeli teenagers. He has not issued a public statement about why he will not be attending Netanyahu’s speech on March 3.
Rep. Katherine Clark (Mass.) @RepKClark 1721 Longworth HOB, Washington, D.C. 202.225.2836 (ph) On Feb. 26, Rep. Clark issued the following statement as to why she will not be attending the Israeli Prime Minister’s speech:
Israel is one of our strongest allies, and I am committed to maintaining and strengthening the special relationship between our two nations. At this point in history, with threats across the region and ongoing negotiations to stop Iran from ever developing a nuclear bomb, Israel needs our bi-partisan support. That is why I am deeply troubled that Speaker Boehner invited Prime Minister Netanyahu to speak before Congress not to further strengthen our connection to Israel, but with the purpose of dividing us. This invitation came without consulting the President or State Department and with the false representation that it was a bi-partisan invitation. Speaker Boehner has poisoned a critical foreign policy discussion with partisan gamesmanship. I will continue my full throated support for Israel, but I will not be part of Speaker Boehner’s attempt to divide our Congress and country over one of our strongest allies.
In office only since 2013, Rep. Clark does not yet have much of a record on foreign policy matters.
Rep. William Lacy Clay (D-MO-1) no twitter address listed. 2428 Rayburn House Office BuildingWashington D.C., 20515 Phone: (202) 225-2406 Fax: (202) 226-3717 Rep. Clay has a strong focus on domestic civil rights, and consistently votes anti-war positions. He has told some reporters that he will not be attending Netanyahu’s speech, but Rep. Clay has not issued any public statements on the matter.
Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC-6) @clyburn 242 Cannon House Office BuildingWashington, DC 20515 Phone: (202)225-3315 Fax: (202)225-2313 Clyburn is a high-ranking Democrat who has held several positions of leadership. He has not issued a public statement about why he decided not to attend Netanyahu’s speech, which in itself is significant. Rep. Clyburn was a J Street-endorsed candidate in 2014.
Rep. Steve Cohen (Tenn.) Jewish @RepCohen 2404 Rayburn HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-3265 Fax: (202) 225-5663 Rep. Cohen issued a statement on Feb. 24, explaining why he is boycotting Netanyahu’s speech on March 3. In his statement, Cohen referred to the Congressional chamber as “sacrosanct.”