[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 18 (Tuesday, January 28, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S408]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                      International Criminal Court

  Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to talk about the 
ICC bill and the vote we are going to have immediately following the 
lunch hour.
  When the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for 
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his former Defense 
Minister for defending their country against an unprovoked brutal 
attack on their homeland, the ICC was exceeding its mandate. There is 
no question about that in my mind. Further, there is no question in my 
mind that it is a clear demonstration of the Court's inability to focus 
on justice and determine what is justice and determine what is right 
and what is wrong.
  The ICC does not have jurisdiction over Israel. This clearly 
political move erased the last illusions of legitimacy for the 
organization and is just another example of partisanship and anti-
Semitism infecting our international organizations like the United 
Nations, the ICJ, and, of course, the ICC. This needs to end.
  The United States needs to stand in solidarity with our ally Israel, 
not only by providing them with the assistance they need for their 
self-defense but by sanctioning the ICC to compel the organization to 
change its corrupt behavior in countering this blatant anti-Semitism 
wherever it appears.
  I look forward to working with the Trump administration and Secretary 
of State Rubio, whom I believe will be excellent partners in rooting 
out the corruption in our international organizations. And I urge my 
colleagues to vote yes on this bill to support our greatest ally in the 
Middle East, Israel.
  This is a unique opportunity to vote, and a vote on this will very 
clearly state whether you stand on the side of Israel or you stand on 
the side of the United States, and that we will not cede jurisdiction 
over our citizens to such a corrupt and blatantly inequitable 
institution as the ICC.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. LEE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Curtis). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.