[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 23, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5164-S5165]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Democratic Party
Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, it has been a remarkable couple of weeks
in our country: the attempted assassination of President Trump; the
decision made by President Biden to--notwithstanding having won all the
primaries and being, essentially, the chosen leader of the Democratic
party on the presidential ticket come November--his decision to step
down in what can only be described as a political coup to install the
Vice President as the Democratic nominee, even after months upon months
of elections where the votes of people who participated in the
Democratic primary have now simply been disregarded in favor of a
handful of leaders in the smoky, smoke-filled rooms here in Washington,
DC, deciding who should be their standard bearer.
But tomorrow we have another very significant event occurring: Prime
Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is in Washington this week and will address
Congress tomorrow. More than 9 months have passed since that terrible
day on October 7 when Israel was attacked by Hamas terrorists. These
attacks were against innocent civilians, not the Israeli defense
forces, and these terrorists brutally murdered more than 1,200 Israelis
without any warning and violently assaulted countless others. They took
251 hostages--many, unfortunately, have died, while 120 of them still
remain in Hamas custody, including 8 Americans.
Over the last several months, Israeli forces have faced attacks not
just from Hamas but from another terrorist proxy--or I should say two
of them--Hezbollah from Lebanon in the northern part of the region and
its proxy, the Houthis, in Yemen.
Sadly, many on the far left in our country have chosen to take sides
not with our friend and ally Israel but with the terrorists--with
Hamas, with Hezbollah and the Houthis against our friend and ally
Israel. They have repeatedly called for a cease-fire, notwithstanding
the fact that Israel is still under threat from Iranian proxies; and
they have attempted to frame Prime Minister Netanyahu as the villain
here for a war begun on October 7 when terrorists attacked innocent
Israeli civilians.
At a time when many Americans and, sadly, many Members of Congress do
not seem to understand why America's support for Israel is so critical,
I hope Prime Minister Netanyahu's remarks tomorrow will provide some
clarity and some context. There is a saying that has been going around
for years: If Hamas laid down its weapons today, there would be no more
violence. If Israel laid down its weapons, there would be no more
Israel. Hamas is not fighting for peace; it is trying to wipe Israel
off the map.
This is an existential threat to the State of Israel and the people
of Israel. The United States cannot tiptoe down the line between good
and evil. We must make a choice, and we must make a stand. And that
stand should be with Israel.
Prime Minister Netanyahu's joint address to Congress is an
opportunity to reaffirm our shared values and highlight the pivotal
role that Israel plays in promoting stability and democracy in an
admittedly volatile region. I look forward to hearing his remarks
tomorrow, but I am concerned about one critical absence. There have
been news reports that Vice President Harris, who is now on track to
become the Democrats' Presidential nominee, will not be in attendance.
Reports are she is scheduled to speak at a sorority convention in
Indianapolis. But this isn't a last-minute or unavoidable scheduling
conflict. The date of Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech was announced
in early June. And in any event, I am sure the sorority convention
would forgive the Vice President for attending to this important event
here in Washington, DC, and perhaps reschedule for another time. But to
openly boycott the leader of Israel at a time like this is
irresponsible. The Vice President's decision to skip this joint address
is clearly a snub, and it foreshadows a continuing trend in U.S.
foreign policy that started under the current President. And,
obviously, it is designed to send a message to Prime Minister Netanyahu
and Israel.
We have already heard some Members of this body call for Prime
Minister Netanyahu--basically, for there to be an election to replace
him, an unprecedented intrusion into the affairs of a sovereign nation,
another democracy. It is disgraceful and embarrassing to see the
pandering to extremist elements in the Democratic party.
Sadly, the Vice President isn't the only one shying away from showing
support for one of our critical allies. Media reports say that this
Chamber's President Pro Tempore, Senator Murray, is boycotting the
speech as well.
I am not surprised that some of the more radical Members of the
Democratic conference may boycott, but it is shameful when their top
leadership is so willing to abandon a key ally.
In light of these dynamics, I hope the majority leader, Senator
Schumer, will make it clear where he stands and that he doesn't condone
skipping one of the most important sessions of Congress in recent
memory just to get more air time on cable TV.
Given the partisan antics at play, I am relieved to hear that the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman, Senator Ben Cardin, will
sit behind Prime Minister Netanyahu tomorrow.
I don't recall when the Vice President and the President pro tempore
declined to sit and the chairman of a standing committee, like the
Foreign Relations Committee, was called upon to fill in. But good for
him. He understands the important message that this address sends and
has stepped in to do what others have refused to do.
Still, the world is watching the Vice President more closely than
ever before, now that she is on a path to become the Democratic nominee
for President. They, of course, are analyzing every word, every move,
every signal, every decision. If the Vice President keeps up with her
current plans to boycott this address, it will send a chilling message
about her foreign policy priorities and the future of U.S.-Israel
relations under a potential Harris administration.
It also demonstrates a disregard of the commitments we have made as a
nation to our allies. At a time when the tyrants and dictators of the
world are drawing closer together, America cannot abandon our allies.
As Israel faces ongoing threats in a hostile neighborhood, it is
imperative that the United States stand steady beside Israel. Israel
must have confidence that, regardless of who is elected in November,
the relationship between the United States and Israel will remain
strong.
You know, it is not just the message we send to Israel; it is the
message we send to Iran, the No. 1 state sponsor of international
terrorism, and its proxies--Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis in Yemen.
The Vice President, whether she appreciates it or not, is sending a
message to America's enemies as well. As Joseph Stalin reportedly said,
``you probe with bayonets. If you find mush, you push on. But if you
find steel, you withdraw.'' Unfortunately, the message that the Vice
President is sending by not attending this address and respecting our
friend and ally Israel sends a message of mush, not steel.
As we face growing challenges around the globe, including the threat
of Iran's nuclear ambitions and the spread of terrorism, we need
leaders who will unequivocally support our allies and uphold our
commitments. I can only hope that the Vice President will change her
mind and make that commitment this week. I would congratulate her if
she did.
But as we look into the future, America needs leaders who understand
the
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importance of our alliances and who are willing to stand shoulder to
shoulder with our friends.
As I said earlier, this is not just a message to our friends and
allies. This is a message to Israel's enemies and adversaries, because,
if they sense a lack of commitment and resolve on the part of the
United States to stand with our allies, they are going to continue to
do what they started on October 7.
As I said, we need leaders who understand the importance of our
alliances and who are willing to stand shoulder to shoulder with our
friends. Any leader or would-be leader who fails to meet that bar does
not deserve a seat in the Senate, much less in the Oval Office.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so
ordered.