I hold out hope that statesmanship, and not politics, will prevail.
The speech could be rescheduled for another time, apart from elections and with respect for our president, so that we can focus on improving the historic bipartisan relationship with Israel and work together against common threats like Iran.
But ultimately my commitment is to this country and our interests, and I won’t support any action that will undermine them.
Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME-1) @ChelliePingree 2162 Rayburn HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone (202) 225-6116 Fax (202) 225-5590 Pingree was a J Street-endorsed candidate in 2014.
UPDATE: Just hours before the scheduled speech, Rep. Rangel now says he will attend Netanyahu’s speech, due to input from constituents. Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY-13) @CBRangel 2354 Rayburn HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-4365 Fax: (202) 225-0816 On Feb. 25, Rangel appeared on MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews. He spoke in support of NSA Susan Rice’s position that Netanyahu’s speech to Congress will be “destructive to U.S.-Israel relations.” Matthews aggressively attacked Boehner and Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer, allowing Rangel to mouth his love and support for Israel, but condemn the move of having a foreign leader “come into our house” and undermine the president.
Rangel was offended that his and others’ decision not to show up would be seen as a boycott. He said that some Democrats got together and invited Netanyahu to meet with them so that when they are not in the joint session of Congress it wouldn’t look like they were boycotting. Rangel said that putting him and the others who are angry about having Netanyahu come and disrespect the president takes “a lot of hutzpah.” Rangel was a J Street-endorsed candidate in 2014.
Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-LA-2) @RepRichmond 240 Cannon HOBWashington, DC 20515Phone: (202) 225-6636 Fax: (202) 225-1988 On Feb. 23, Rep. Richmond issued a statement explaining why he will not attend Netanyahu’s speech. Richmond called it a “global slap in the face to Obama.” He touched on the protocol issue and that foreign policy is the domain of the executive.
Time and time again, Speaker Boehner and Congressional Republicans have disrespected and tried to embarrass the President of the United States. I hope that Speaker Boehner’s misguided action in this instance causes no irreversible harm.
The Prime Minister’s scheduled address destabilizes the President’s authority in foreign policy and forces lawmakers who are supportive of Israel to choose between offending Israel and undermining the President. We should not allow a short-sighted partisan action to cause discord among parties who agree on the threat of an armed Iran. Additionally, we must not allow Israel’s security to evolve into a partisan exercise and we must not allow the United States Congress to be used for any leader’s political purposes.
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My decision not to attend the joint session is not an issue of partisanship, nor is it indicative of a lack of commitment to Israel. Members of Congress are tasked with upholding the sanctity of the Constitution. I intend to uphold that responsibility.
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (Ill.) @JanSchakowsky 2367 Rayburn HOB Washington, DC 20515Phone: (202) 225-2111 Fax: (202) 226-6890 Rep. Schakowsky was a J Street-endorsed candidate in 2014. Rep. Schakowsky is Jewish.
Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS 2) @BennieGThompson 2466 Rayburn HOBWashington, D.C. 20515(202) 225-5876 (202) 225-5898 (Fax) On Feb. 25, Rep. Thompson’s office issued a statement that the Rep. will not be attending Netanyahu’s speech on March 3. “Congressman Thompson understands the importance of hearing from international leaders, but he is concerned that the speech has become overtly political,” said Austin Vevurka, Senior Advisor to Thompson. “He hopes the speech is rescheduled and Netanyahu is invited back at a later date in a manner that respects long-established diplomatic protocol.” Rep. Thompson was a J Street-endorsed candidate in 2014.