Members On The Record…

…in General

Cruz (R-TX) 3/3: Tweet – “In the last six weeks, Team Biden: Embraced China, Bombed Syria, Empowered Russia and Putin, Refused to stand with Israel on the Golan Heights, Lifted sanctions on Iranian backed terrorists – Not an encouraging start for Biden’s foreign policy.”

…re: Israel/Palestine (incl ICC)

Deutch (D-FL) and Wilson (R-SC) 3/4: Press release – Deutch, Wilson Statement on ICC Decision to Investigate Israel [“The ICC’s decision to open an investigation where it lacks jurisdiction is inappropriate and sets a dangerous precedent. By moving forward with its investigation, not only is the Court undermining Israel’s sovereignty but it is also challenging Israel’s robust judicial system and ability to responsibly investigate such matters for itself. This is disturbing given the ongoing attempts to use the court to investigate the United States. Israel, like the United States, is not a member of the ICC. Furthermore, we cannot be assured that this investigation will be conducted fairly, particularly as the Court follows a pattern of political bias by so many other international organizations to single out and impose a double standard on Israel.“]

Sherman (D-CA) 3/4: Tweet – “Today I met with Amb @giladerdan1 Israel’s new Amb to the US & @UN and discussed issues important to the US-Israel relationship for over an hour. Looking forward to working together & in Congress to address Iran, US-Israel scientific cooperation, anti-Semitism, & other issues.”

Tlaib (D-MN) (re-tweeted by Omar, D-MN) 3/4: Tweet – “No one is above the law. The @IntlCrimCourt has the authority and duty to independently & impartially investigate and deliver justice to victims of human rights violations and war crimes in Palestine and Israel. The U.S. should not interfere with its ability to do so.” Linked to SecState Blinken tweet – “The United States firmly opposes an @IntlCrimCourt investigation into the Palestinian Situation. We will continue to uphold our strong commitment to Israel and its security, including by opposing actions that seek to target Israel unfairly.”

Gimenez (R-FL) 3/4: Tweet – “I applaud @SecBlinken for defending #Israel ahead of the @IntlCrimCourt decision to open investigations into Israel. The ICC is more intent on punishing the world’s only Jewish state than they are punishing #China and #Venezuela for despicable human rights abuses.” Linked to SecState Blinken tweet – “The United States firmly opposes an @IntlCrimCourt investigation into the Palestinian Situation. We will continue to uphold our strong commitment to Israel and its security, including by opposing actions that seek to target Israel unfairly.”

Schneider (D-IL) 3/4: Twitter thread – “.@SecBlinken’s statement is unequivocal, and the Biden Administration is absolutely right to oppose the ICC investigation into Israel. The ICC lacks jurisdiction and Palestinians do not qualify as a sovereign state to delegate jurisdiction.” & “Unilateral actions by the Palestinians clearly “undercut efforts to advance a negotiated two state solution”. The U.S., including the U.S. Congress, remains steadfastly committed to a secure Israel and the pursuit of regional peace.” Linked to SecState Blinken statement.

Rubio (R-FL) 3/3: Tweet – “The #ICC continues to put its energy & resources into illegitimate investigations in which it has 0 jurisdiction. Instead of politically motivated investigations into the U.S. & Israel, the ICC should focus on the horrific abuses in Syria, Venezuela, China, and Cuba. Disgraceful.”

Torres (D-NY) 3/3: Tweet – “The ICC is so obsessed with Israel, which happens to be the world’s only Jewish state, that it can’t be bothered to investigate the egregious human rights abuses of China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia, to name but a few.” Linked to Barak Ravid tweet – “.@StateDeptSpox Ned Price: The U.S. opposes and is disappointed by the international criminal court decision to open an investigation regarding the situation in the West Bank and Gaza. We are committed to Israel’s security and to counter actions that treat Israel unfairly”

Risch (R-ID) 3/3: Tweet – “I condemn the International Criminal Court’s decision to proceed with an investigation into #Israel’s actions in the West Bank & Gaza. This inquiry is outside the ICC’s jurisdiction, and it should be ended immediately.”

Blackburn (R-TN) 3/3: Tweet – “This week the first Ambassador from the UAE presented his credentials in Israel. This historic moment was made possible by the monumental #AbrahamAccords and the leadership of President Trump. May this relationship prosper and thrive!”

Hill (R-AR) 3/1: Floor statement – “Recognizing the Service Of Ambassador David M. Friedman” [“Mr. Friedman strengthened our bond with Israel, took our partnership to new heights, secured peaceful relationships for Israel in the Middle East, and was influential in moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem. Through his diligent work, Mr. Friedman set in motion the peaceful resolution of Israel-Arab conflicts. His hard work and service set the standard for building U.S. diplomatic relationships, and earned him a well-deserved nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize.”]

Sanders (I-VT) 3/1: Tweet – “I applaud the Israeli health officials for their efforts. Making sure all Palestinians receive vaccines is the right thing to do from both a public health and moral perspective. I hope the Israeli government follows their advice as quickly as possible.” Linked to article – Israeli Health Officials To Government: Vaccinate All Palestinians (NPR)

…re: Iran

Hagerty (R-KY) 3/4: Twitter thread promoting S. 488 (covered in last week’s Round-Up), opening with “Yesterday, another rocket attack in Iraq, with all the hallmarks of the Iran-backed militias, resulted in the death of an American. The Iranian regime seems intent on attacking Americans at the same time the Biden admin wants to give Tehran sanctions relief.”

Newman (D-IL) 3/3: Tweet – “Since Trump abandoned the Iran Nuclear Deal, Iran has continued to increase its uranium capacity, making our world a more dangerous place. The Biden administration must continue to work with our allies to reconstitute the JCPOA and help bring stability to the region.”

Cramer (R-ND) 3/2: Sen. Cramer, Colleagues Introduce Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act (covered in last week’s Round-Up). Also see, Tweets about this bill: Hoeven (R-ND), Hagerty (R-TN), Rubio (R-FL), Blunt (R-MO), Cramer (R-ND), Hagerty (R-TN), Young (R-IN), Capito (R-WV)

Mitchell (R-MI) 3/2: Tweet – “So much for diplomacy with Iran and its various state backed militias. Now about the sanctions and the nuclear deal???” Linked to article, Base housing US troops in Iraq hit by rockets (The Hill)

Deutch (D-FL) 3/2: Tweet – “Glad to see this. We must always make the return of Americans a priority. Iran must also provide closure to the Levinson family.” Linked to Tweet from State Dept Spox – “Special Envoy for Iran Rob Malley is speaking with all U.S. families whose loved ones are unjustly detained or missing in Iran. The Biden Administration will not rest until they are all free and reunited with their loved ones.”

Republican Steering Committee 3/2: Republican Study Committee Steering Committee Official Position on Iran

McConnell (R-KY) 3/2: McConnell to Biden Administration on Iran: Don’t Surrender Leverage for Nothing [remarks in Congressional Record here]

Blunt (R-MS) 3/1: Blunt Backs Bill to Require Congressional Approval before any Iran Sanctions Relief Is Granted

Salazar (R-FL) 3/1: Tweet – “The brutal regime in #Iran is being sanctioned for its Human Rights abuses, for oppressing the Iranian people, & for exporting terrorism across the globe. None of that has changed. The regime’s ruthless behavior does not warrant any lifting of sanctions!” Linked to article, Iran insists U.S. lift sanctions first to revive nuclear deal talks (Reuters)

Hagerty (R-TX) 3/1: Twitter thread opening with – “In the Middle East, President Biden should pursue a strategy based on 3 common-sense principles. The first, we must strengthen our traditional allies, take their concerns seriously, and avoid the development of a vacuum that opens the door for adversaries….” [targeting Iran & arguing that the US must “resolve regional conflicts on our own terms. The model of the Abraham Accords between Israel and the Arab world serves as a powerful reminder that diplomacy is not an end itself, but a means to an end”. Linked to his 2/26 op-ed in the Hill, Congress must check Biden’s risky Iran reset

Schneider (D-IL) 2/28: Tweet – “The Biden Administration’s position is clear— we will return to the JCPOA as a starting point for negotiations only when Iran is in full compliance with the terms of the agreement.” Linked to article, Iran Rejects Offer of Direct U.S. Nuclear Talks, Ratcheting Up Tension With West (Wall Street Journal)

Young (R-IN) 2/26: Young Joins Bill to Require Congressional Vote Before Any Iran Sanctions Relief is Granted

…re: Syria Strike

Slotkin (D-MI) 3/1: Slotkin Statement on Defensive Airstrikes Against Iranian-backed Militia in Syria

Slotkin (D-MI) 2/27: Twitter thread (8 tweets), opening with, “Iran continues to support attacks on the United States, most recently the February 15 rocket attacks on a base in northern Iraq where a U.S. service member was wounded, and a civilian contractor was killed.”

McClain (R-MI) 2/27: Tweet – “Iran’s grip on the Middle East must be stopped. I support @POTUS’ decision to strike the Iranian-backed militias in Syria. We must remain strong and push back against Iran’s influence and prevent their proxies from advancing.” Linked to article, Militia Official: US Strike in Syria Kills 1, Wounds Several (Military.com)

Turner (R-OH) 2/26: Tweet – “Our military’s retaliatory response yesterday against targets in Syria illustrated that Iran remains our adversary and not our partner in nuclear negotiations. Read my full statement here:” Linked to pdf of his statement (not on his website)

Massie (R-KY) 2/26: Twitter thread (consolidated) – “(1/4)When President Trump launched an attack against an Iranian general in Iraq, the Democrats offered a resolution to assert that any further attacks against Iran would require the proper approval of Congress. I was one of only three Republicans to vote for that resolution. (2/4)President Trump called me to strongly encourage me not to vote for that resolution, but I told him I had always asserted Congress’ sole authority to declare war when Obama was President and I had to remain consistent. 3/4)He said if I voted for it: I would get a primary opponent (true: opponent filed the next day) and He wouldn’t help me (true: during the race he encouraged the GOP to throw me out of the party) (4/4)Now that President Biden has launched an attack directed toward Iran in a sovereign country without permission, I wonder if @SpeakerPelosi will be consistent and offer a similar resolution to assert the Constitutional authority of Congress to decide when we go to war?” Linked to articles, House votes to limit Trump’s power to hit Iran militarily (UPI) & House approves pair of measures reining in Trump’s military action against Iran (CNN)

Lee (D-CA) 2/26: Tweet – “My statement on the U.S. air strikes in Syria” [linked to image of her statement]

Omar (D-MN) 2/26: Tweet – “The Administration must provide a legal rationale for the air strikes in Syria and why these strikes met the high bar for military action without Congressional approval. My statement on the U.S. air strikes in Syria” [linked to image of her statement]

McConnell (R-KY) 2/26: McConnell Statement on Strikes in Syria

Inhofe (R-OK) 2/26: Inhofe Statement on Air Strikes in Syria Targeting Iran-Backed Militias

Markey (D-MA) 2/26: Senator Markey Statement on U.S. Air Strikes in Syria

Kaine (D-VA) 2/26: Kaine Statement on Airstrikes in Syria

Sanders (I-VT) 2/26: Sanders Statement on Air Strikes in Syria

…re: Turkey

Chabot (R-OH) 3/2: Tweet – “NATO ally Turkey is on the front lines in NW Syria defending innocent civilians from the cruel Assad regime & its backers. As Turkey mourns the first anniversary of the deaths of 33 soldiers in Idlib, my heart is with the Turkish people & the families of the fallen.”

Cohen (D-TN), Chabot (R-OH), Connolly (D-VA) and Wilson (D-SC) 3/1: Co-Chairmen of the Caucus on U.S.-Turkey Relations and Turkish Americans Condemn Killing of Turkish and Iraqi Citizens

Scott (R-FL) 2/26: Tweet – “Uyghurs living in Turkey are peacefully protesting outside the Chinese Embassy, but Erdogan and his goons are silencing the protestors. Erdogan is more interested in securing investment from Beijing and protecting the feelings of Xi Jinping than the rights of his people.” Linked to article, Turkey’s Uighurs fear betrayal over Chinese vaccines and trade(Financial Times)

…re: Yemen

Khanna (D-CA) 3/2: Tweet – “Yemen needs our help, now more than ever. After supporting the Saudi-led war, we have a moral responsibility to prevent famine. The Biden administration should ensure that the international community is increasing not decreasing its aid to Yemen.” Linked to article – UN chief: Appeal for Yemen raises ‘disappointing’ $1.7B (AP)

Deutch (D-FL) 3/1: Twitter thread – “I applaud @SecBlinken for pledging an addition $191M in humanitarian aid to Yemen @UN donor summit.” and “We must continue working together to expand U.S. assistance & convince other nations to meet their pledges to Yemen.” Linked to Deutch tweet about the letter he led last week re: aid to Yemen (covered in last week’s Round-Up).

McCollum (D-MN) 2/27: Tweet – “Yemeni journalist Adel al-Hasani has been detained & abused in Yemen for months by the UAE-sponsored Southern Transitional Council. I support @pressfreedom’s call for Adel’s immediate release. Adel’s former teacher lives in MN & fears for his safety.”  Linked to alert from the Committee to Protect Journalists, Journalist Adel al-Hasani held by Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council since September

Bipartisan group of senators 2/26: Bipartisan Group of Senators Call on Houthis to Halt Their Marib Offensive

…re: Saudi Arabia/Murder of Jamal Khashoggi

Doggett (D-TX) 3/1: Twitter thread, opening with – “A Biden Administration foreign policy failure—refusing to penalize the Saudi leader who murdered and dismembered a U.S. resident, Jamal Khashoggi. This sends a troubling message to other authoritarian killers worldwide.”

Markey (D-MA) 2/27: Tweet – “Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman had Jamal Khashoggi murdered. Trump covered it up. America shouldn’t sell offensive weapons or nuclear technology to a country that seeks a nuclear bomb, targets civilians in Yemen, and disregards human rights at home.”

Kim (D-NJ) 2/27: Twitter thread, opening with: “I just finished reading the declassified memo on killing of #Khashoggi. I’ve read thousands of intel reports in my career in national security, but this one stands out. Here’s why we need to take this seriously and why we need to do more to hold Crown Prince accountable…”

Khanna (D-CA) 2/27: Tweet – “The US relationship with Saudi Arabia isn’t more important than our morality.” Linked to video of Khanna on CNN.

Menendez (D-NJ) 2/26: Twitter thread opening with – “1/ Today the U.S. government finally acknowledged what the rest of the world has already known: Saudi Crown Prince Muhammed bin Salman personally approved the brutal kidnapping, dismemberment, and murder of journalist and American resident Jamal Khashoggi.”

Warner (D-VA) 2/26: Tweet – “For too long, the U.S. failed to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for the murder of journalist, dissident, and Virginia resident Jamal Khashoggi. I’m encouraged to see the new administration taking steps to rectify that by releasing this overdue congressionally mandated report.” Linked to article, US intelligence report finds Saudi Crown Prince responsible for approving operation that killed Khashoggi (CNN)

Schiff (D-CA) 2/26: Chairman Schiff Statement on Release of Report on Jamal Khashoggi’s Murder [also see video 2/26 – Rep. Schiff on MSNBC: We Must Hold Crown Prince Accountable and Re-evaluate U.S.-Saudi Relationship

Schiff (D-CA) 2/26: Tweet – “For two years, we pushed for the truth to be made public:   The highest levels of the Saudi government, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, are responsible for the brutal murder of Jamal Khashoggi.   There must be accountability, and we will continue to press for it.”

Feinstein (D-CA) 2/26: Twitter thread, opening with – “The intelligence assessment of Saudi Arabia’s role in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi confirms what the U.S. government has believed for more than two years: that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was responsible for Khashoggi’s brutal killing.”

Casey (D-PA) 2/26: Tweet – “I commend the Biden Administration’s transparency in releasing the intelligence report covering the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.”  Linked to, Biden Speaks With Saudi King; Unclear if Khashoggi Killing Was Discussed (NYT)

Durbin (D-IL) 2/26: Twitter thread – “This barbaric act joins a long list of Saudi outrages, including the ongoing detention of political prisoners Raif Badawi and Waleed Abu Al-Khair, as well as the continued harassment of religious minorities, foreign workers, journalists, women’s activists, and too many others” & “While we share a number of security interests, our continued relationship with Saudi Arabia must include accountability on these deeply troubling human rights matters.”  Linked to, Saudi Crown Prince Is Held Responsible for Khashoggi Killing in U.S. Report (NYT)

Deutch (D-FL) 2/26: Tweet – “The murder of Jamal Khashoggi was an outrageous crime, apparently approved by the highest levels of the Saudi Arabian gov’t. The visa restrictions & sanctions are good first steps but cannot represent the last word on this barbaric act.” Linked to pdf of his statement (statement not on his website as a press release)

McGovern (D-MA) 2/26: Tweet – “I called for an end to all arms sales to Saudi Arabia after the horrifying murder of Jamal Khashoggi. This report confirms what we already knew. Heinous criminal actions must have real consequences.” Linked to NBC News tweet – “BREAKING: Biden admin. releases intel report on 2018 killing of Jamal Khashoggi: ‘We assess that Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey to capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi,’ US intel assessment says.”

Panetta (D-CA) 2/26: Tweet – “The intelligence report linking Jamal Khashoggi’s brutal murder with commands from Saudi leaders mandates that U.S.-Saudi relations be reexamined. As a nation that upholds individual rights, we must hold leaders that violate human rights accountable.”

Meeks (D-NY) 2/26: Meeks Issues Statement Regarding Unclassified Report on Jamal Khashoggi’s Murder

McCaul (R-TX) 2/26: Khashoggi Murder “Unjust and Gruesome Crime,” Supports New Khashoggi Ban [also see Twitter thread]

Omar (D-MN) 2/26: Rep. Omar Statement on Khashoggi Assassination Approved by Saudi Crown Prince

Articles and Reports Related to the Hill

Axios 3/4: Ro Khanna wary of Biden approach on Middle East

Jewish News Syndicate 3/4: Watchdog group calls on congressman to apologize for joining extremist’s event

Jewish Insider 3/4:  Rep. Andy Levin addresses left-wing antisemitism, foreign policy and his own approach to Judaism [“Unlike many of his fellow Jewish lawmakers, Levin argues that antisemitism is not a serious issue on the left, strenuously defends colleagues Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) against accusations of antisemitism and allies himself closely with progressive activist movements.”]

JTA 3/3: Rep. Lee Zeldin considering run for New York governor

Times of Israel 3/2: Attacks on Israel should not come from US Congress [op-ed by South African Christian Zionist author, writing as a representative of IBSI – Institute for Black Solidary with Israel – attacking Rep. Ilhan Omar]

Arutz Sheva 3/2 (Yoram Ettinger): Congress – Israel’s most systematic and challenging ally[attacking Reps. McConnell (D-MN), Lee (D-CA), and others who allegedly “are estranged from the 400-year-old historical, cultural, moral and civic foundations of the US-Israel kinship; unfamiliar with Israel’s role as a unique force-multiplier for the US, and its contribution to the US defense industries, high tech sector, armed forces, counterterrorism and intelligence…overlook the US-Israel mutual threats and challenges, which transcend the Palestinian issue; inattentive of the adverse effect on US interests of the proposed Palestinian state, and are oblivious to the Arab view of the Palestinians as a role model for intra-Arab terrorism, subversion and treachery…are indifferent to Palestinian hate-education, which mirrors the Palestinian vision and breeds terrorists. They are uninformed about the enhancement of US interests by Israel’s control of the mountain ridges of Judea and Samaria (the ‘West Bank’) and the Golan Heights. And, they are unaware of the deep incompatibility between Western values and norms, on the one hand, and the unpredictable, violent, treacherous Middle East reality, on the other hand.”]

The Hill (JINSA) 3/2: Biden and Congress must act against calls to condition aid to Israel

Politico 3/2: Biden administration still hasn’t briefed top senators on Syria strike [“Sen. Chris Murphy had to sit in on a staff briefing. He’s not thrilled with what he heard.”]

Times of Israel 3/2: Sanders lauds Israeli health officials for pushing to vaccinate Palestinians

Politico 3/1: The road to Joe Biden’s foreign policy runs through Bob Menendez

Washington Report on Middle East Affairs (March-April edition): What the 70 New Members of Congress Reveal About Pro-Israel Politics in the United States

Defense News (FDD op-ed) 2/27: Senators are calling for a US-Israel working group, and it could save lives

Jewish Insider 3/1: Alex Lasry’s full-court press for the U. S. Senate [Re BDS: “I definitely think that movement is based on, and has a lot of ties to, antisemitism. It’s not something that I’m for. When I hear that, it does worry me. Israel is one of our strongest allies. We need to be able to talk to them and tell them when they’re doing stuff wrong. But that doesn’t mean that we’re punishing Israel or that we’re pulling funding or anything like that. What we need to make sure we’re doing is using our leadership to, hopefully, move Israel in a better direction if we think they are going off course, but also understanding that they’re a strong ally, and we can never desert them.”]

Jewish News Syndicate 2/26: ZOA denounces selection of McCollum as chair of House defense committee

Just Security 2/26: How Biden, Congress, and US Business and Civic Leaders Can Deliver Justice for Jamal Khashoggi

Free Beacon 2/26: New Bill Would Mandate Congress Approve Any Sanctions Relief for Iran