[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 117 (Thursday, August 2, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5931-S5932]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                          Politicizing Israel

  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Madam President, I rise today out of disbelief with 
the rhetoric coming from Republicans and their Presidential candidate 
concerning the U.S. relationship with Israel. Frankly, it pains me to 
see that a political trip to Israel is carried with a message to scare 
the Israelis that President Obama and this administration are not as 
fast and as complete as they are.
  I have had numerous trips to Israel. One was the 6-day war in 1967, 
when the Israelis had battled with the Egyptians, and I got there 
shortly after the guns stopped shooting. I went to the Sinai Desert and 
watched the Israelis on guard while the Egyptian soldiers were carrying 
necessary items, such as water and food, for their people. I was 
reminded then that the Israelis always have to be on guard. They are 
never free to go about their domestic interests and problems without 
having one eye open to make certain the rockets that are being aimed at 
them aren't going to tear their people apart again, as their people 
have experienced--the worst of human relations, a blight on mankind 
which can never be forgotten, and the Israelis remember it very 
clearly.
  Unfortunately, Republicans want to use our relationship with Israel 
as a political game, which is terrible for America's national security 
and bad for Israel. The implication that we are weak in our support for 
Israel is foul play and encourages Israel's enemies to look and say: 
Well, maybe America is not as solid on its support of Israel, because 
Mr. Romney, when asked the question about what he would do differently 
with Israel, says he would do just the opposite of what President Obama 
has done.
  We have built a relationship between our countries that is firm and 
unshakable since 1948. To try to clumsily interfere with that is 
shameful. Republicans are distorting the state of U.S.-Israel relations 
for political gain and sending the wrong signal to the rest of the 
world.
  When you listen to the Republicans--especially their Presidential 
candidate, Mitt Romney discuss Israel, reality is often replaced with 
distortion and fantasy. Mitt Romney says President Obama has not been a 
friend of Israel. That couldn't be any further from the truth. When we 
examine the record, it is clear that President Obama shares my 
convictions about the enduring bond between Israel and the United 
States. It is clear that there is no greater friend to Israel than this 
President.
  But you don't have to take my word for it. Here is a chart that 
carries a message from a distinguished leader in Israel, the Israeli 
Defense Minister, Ehud Barak. He says very clearly:

       [T]his administration under President Obama is doing in 
     regard to our security more than anything that I can remember 
     in the past.

  He made certain that it is quite understood that the relationship 
with Israel and America is solid and well-balanced. This is coming 
from, as I said, a distinguished, decorated military leader. He helped 
plan the historic raid on Entebbe to rescue Israelis who were held in a 
grounded airplane. He understands Israel's security.
  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called the Obama 
administration's security policy for Israel ``unprecedented.'' But if 
you listen to Republicans over here in the United States, they say we 
have all but abandoned Israel's security. They are encouraging hostile 
neighbors with their misrepresentations. Shame on them.
  Governor Romney in particular has demonstrated frightening ignorance 
about Israel and its security needs. The prime example of this behavior 
is the Republican Presidential nominee's complete inability to 
articulate what exactly he would do differently than President Obama. 
When asked about what his policy regarding Israel would be, and I have 
to quote him here, he said: ``I'd look at the things the President has 
done and do the opposite.''
  What a threatening statement that is. He said he wants to do the 
opposite of President Obama. So let's look at what that would mean. 
Obama blocked Palestinian statehood when it was brought up in the U.N. 
He had a big fight on his hands to keep that from happening. So that 
means Romney, as President, would allow Palestinian statehood in the 
U.N. He said he is going to do the opposite.
  Record high U.S. aid for Israel? Romney is going to do the opposite. 
That means he has to lower the U.S. aid for Israel.
  Obama says all options on the table for dealing with Iran are there. 
That means that Mitt Romney, if President, would only use 
``containment'' of a nuclear Iran as his yardstick for dealing with 
this incredible problem.
  So, everybody, beware. Israelis, beware. Don't be taken in by this 
and don't let people in America be taken in by this. They know that 
Israel is America's best friend.
  Last September, when the Palestinian Authority aggressively pursued a 
U.N. vote on statehood, that is when President Obama stood strong and 
blocked it. If we are to believe Mitt Romney, however, as indicated 
here, he would have allowed this unilateral action on Palestinian 
statehood to proceed.
  Just a few days ago, President Obama signed into law a new bill that 
will strengthen U.S. security with Israel even further. But again, if 
we are to believe Mitt Romney, he would have lowered Israeli aid and 
weakened, thusly, Israel's defenses against the threats it constantly 
faces.
  And last, President Obama has stood absolutely firm in his call to 
stop Iran from development of a nuclear weapon. The Obama 
administration has been clear that all options are on the table to 
prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear threat to its neighbors. President 
Obama has put in place the strongest sanctions ever against Iran, 
sanctions that have punished and isolated Iran more than ever before. 
If we are to believe Mitt Romney here as well, under President Romney 
America's policy toward Iran would be one of accepting a nuclear-armed 
Iran that threatens Israel's--and the world's--very existence.

[[Page S5932]]

  The bottom line is this: These are not simple problems and they will 
require real leadership to tackle. We cannot play games with America's 
best friend. Israel continues to be threatened by rockets launched by 
Hamas from the Gaza Strip. Iran appears intent on developing a nuclear 
weapon and is the foremost state sponsor of terror. But instead of 
approaching these issues with the careful consideration they deserve, 
the Republicans seem intent on twisting reality for political gain.
  We see it on the domestic front, too. The Republican leader said--he 
said it here--his party's top priority is to make President Obama a 
one-term President, and they are using any pretense they can to 
establish that. Their top priorities, then, clearly do not include 
helping everyday Americans by creating jobs, improving our schools, or 
strengthening our health care system. If we take Mitt Romney at his 
word, they are certainly not aimed at doing what is in Israel's best 
interest. And when they simply wish for our President's failure, they 
are hurting America's chance for success.
  When they fail to put forth any ideas of their own, they show 
themselves to be unfit to govern, unable to lead. Their mission, their 
primary mission is to bring down the record that President Obama has 
established. We have recaptured a lot of jobs. Still, we have a long 
way to go to get our economy in better motion than it is, but everybody 
knows we are working on it. We have seen remarkable growth in jobs in 
the automobile industry, which looked as though it might have ended up 
being unable to function in this country of ours.
  The whole world knows that America's leadership depends on its 
domestic strength and not on casual political rhetoric that challenges 
America's loyalty to its friends.
  I yield the floor and I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Ms. STABENOW. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The 
Senator from Michigan.
  Ms. STABENOW. Madam President, I rise today to strongly urge my 
colleagues to support the nomination of an outstanding judge, Gershwin 
Drain, to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of 
Michigan. We will have an opportunity to vote in a few minutes. Senator 
Levin and I join together in the strongest possible recommendation to 
our colleagues on this nomination. I have known Judge Drain for many 
years. I can tell you he is a very impressive individual with a long 
record of excellent public service. He has served in the district 
court, the Detroit Recorder's Court and the Wayne County Circuit Court.
  He is active in the community. When I am in the community and have 
the opportunity to be at events that are important for people, for 
families, for communities, for children, for economic development, 
Judge Drain is always there, supporting the efforts of Detroit and of 
Michigan.
  He is of course dedicated to his incredible family, who I know is 
very proud of him, as we are. But don't take my word for it. The 
American Bar Association Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary 
unanimously rated Judge Drain ``qualified'' to serve on the District 
Court. He was named a ``Man Of Excellence'' by the Michigan Chronicle 
newspaper, and the Detroit News named him ``Michiganian of the Year''--
both very prestigious recognitions in Michigan.
  This is a very important judgeship that has been vacant for more than 
2 years. It is important for people in Michigan and throughout the 
eastern district to be able to have the full measure of justice they 
expect and deserve when coming before the court. It is very important 
that we fill this vacancy.
  I am appreciative and proud that the President of the United States 
has nominated him. I appreciate the support of the Judiciary Committee 
in bringing this nomination forward and the agreement to allow us to 
vote on this nominee.
  Judge Drain has the qualifications, the experience, and the 
temperament for this very important position. I strongly urge my 
colleagues to support his nomination and to vote yes when it comes 
before us in the next few minutes.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. LEVIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The question is, Will the Senate advise and consent to the nomination 
of Gershwin A. Drain, of Michigan, to be United States District Judge 
for the Eastern District of Michigan?
  Mr. LEVIN. Madam President, I ask for the yeas and nays.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second?
  There appears to be a sufficient second.
  The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk called the roll.
  Mr. KYL. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator 
from Illinois (Mr. Kirk), the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Moran), the 
Senator from Florida (Mr. Rubio), and the Senator from Louisiana (Mr. 
Vitter).
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Sanders). Are there any other Senators in 
the Chamber desiring to vote?
  The result was announced--yeas 55, nays 41, as follows:

                      [Rollcall Vote No. 189 Ex.]

                                YEAS--55

     Akaka
     Baucus
     Begich
     Bennet
     Bingaman
     Blumenthal
     Boxer
     Brown (MA)
     Brown (OH)
     Cantwell
     Cardin
     Carper
     Casey
     Coats
     Conrad
     Coons
     Durbin
     Feinstein
     Franken
     Gillibrand
     Hagan
     Harkin
     Inouye
     Johnson (SD)
     Kerry
     Klobuchar
     Kohl
     Landrieu
     Lautenberg
     Leahy
     Levin
     Lieberman
     Manchin
     McCaskill
     Menendez
     Merkley
     Mikulski
     Murray
     Nelson (FL)
     Pryor
     Reed
     Reid
     Rockefeller
     Sanders
     Schumer
     Sessions
     Shaheen
     Stabenow
     Tester
     Udall (CO)
     Udall (NM)
     Warner
     Webb
     Whitehouse
     Wyden

                                NAYS--41

     Alexander
     Ayotte
     Barrasso
     Blunt
     Boozman
     Burr
     Chambliss
     Coburn
     Cochran
     Collins
     Corker
     Cornyn
     Crapo
     DeMint
     Enzi
     Graham
     Grassley
     Hatch
     Heller
     Hoeven
     Hutchison
     Inhofe
     Isakson
     Johanns
     Johnson (WI)
     Kyl
     Lee
     Lugar
     McCain
     McConnell
     Murkowski
     Nelson (NE)
     Paul
     Portman
     Risch
     Roberts
     Shelby
     Snowe
     Thune
     Toomey
     Wicker

                             NOT VOTING--4

     Kirk
     Moran
     Rubio
     Vitter
  The nomination was confirmed.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Michigan.
  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the motion 
to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, that the 
President be immediately notified of the Senate's action, and the 
Senate resume legislative session.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.