[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 126 (Thursday, July 25, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H7381-H7382]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CALLING FOR REJECTION OF THE BDS MOVEMENT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, the failure of some Members 
of the House of Representatives to condemn the global Boycott, 
Divestment and Sanctions, BDS, movement that seeks to sabotage and 
undermine the State of Israel is appalling to me.
  Instead of empowering a movement that seeks to isolate Israel, we 
should be supporting our greatest ally in the Middle East.
  I have seen firsthand that BDS efforts violate the core goals of 
universities, which thrive--or should thrive--on open exchange and 
debate. And I reject the rationale of some Members

[[Page H7382]]

who voted against the resolution under the guise of free speech.
  H. Res. 246, voted on this week, echoes many resolutions that I have 
broadly supported. In February, House Republicans put forth one such 
measure to reject anti-Semitism in all forms.
  Astonishingly, some House Members expressed dissent during the voice 
vote on this motion. However, once a recorded vote was called, the 
motion passed 424-0.
  This week, the majority leadership took the path of least resistance 
from its far-left Members by putting on the floor another resolution to 
condemn anti-Semitism but refusing to debate legislation with the teeth 
necessary to push back against the hateful BDS movement.

  Support of Israel has long enjoyed bipartisan consensus, and real 
action against the BDS movement must be taken. I and 195 other 
Republicans signed onto a discharge petition for H.R. 336, the 
Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act, to bring this 
legislation before the full House for an up-or-down vote.
  H.R. 336 imposes direct and concrete penalties on the BDS movement by 
allowing State and local governments to adopt laws to divest public 
funds from groups or organizations that boycott Israel.
  S. 1, the Senate companion to H.R. 336, passed with strong bipartisan 
support, 77-23. By passing H.R. 336, this House would send a clear 
message that the BDS movement's anti-Semitic messages and actions will 
be met with firm consequences in the United States.
  It is important that we stand in opposition to the BDS movement and 
stand with our strongest ally in the Middle East.
  We must reject the BDS movement with the full force of law and 
continue to support Israel as the major strategic partner that this 
body has long enshrined in our laws, our policy priorities, and our 
hearts and minds.

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