Members on the Record (Automated) for Tue February 21, 2023

Israel - Palestine

Cotton (R-AR) 02/21/2023: Tweet – “A great win for Arkansas and America in the fight against the anti-Semitic BDS movement. Outstanding news. Link to quoted tweetHuge victory for the anti-BDS movement. The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to step into a legal fight over state laws that require contractors to pledge not to boycott Israel by rejecting the appeal. (Supreme Court won't upset Arkansas anti-Israel boycott law... | washingtonpost.com)”

Hunt (R-TX-38) 02/20/2023: Tweet – “He can't defend our southern border, he won't visit the people of Palestine, Ohio, but he'll jetset to Ukraine for a photo-op. This is incredibly insulting to the American people. Link to image”

McConnell (R-KY) 02/21/2023: Tweet – “The Abrahamic Family House is a powerful symbol of the strength of the Abraham Accords. Proud to advance U.S.-Emirati relations with @SenateGOP colleagues this week. Link to image”

McGovern (D-MA-2) 02/20/2023: Tweet – “In Jerusalem with @jstreetdotorg & inspired to see the hundreds of thousands of protesters standing up for their beliefs—as well as members of the @KnessetENG opposition standing up for democracy & against gutting the independence of Israeli Supreme Court. Israel in turmoil as parliament to hold first reading of judicial reforms... | reuters.com”

Padilla (D-CA) 02/20/2023: Tweet – “I was honored to lay a wreath at Yad Vashem during my first visit to Israel as a Senator in memory of the millions who died during the Holocaust. I come away inspired by the resilience of the Jewish people, and committed to peace, security, and prosperity in the region and world. Link to image”

Stefanik (R-NY-21) 02/20/2023: Tweet – “Unsurprising coming from Socialist @BernieSanders.  This is what Democrats think of @netanyahu and democracy in the Middle East ⬇️ Link to quoted tweetSocialist Bernie Sanders says he's "embarrassed" by what he calls Israel's "racist government" (Link to twitter.com)”

Stefanik (R-NY-21) 02/20/2023: Tweet – “It's completely shameful that the UN constantly attacks the sole democracy in the Middle East, while refusing to condemn Hamas and Hezbollah. Joe Biden should NOT go along with their shameful attacks on our ally Israel!”

Syria

Jackson (D-IL-1) 02/20/2023: Tweet – “My heart goes out to the people of Türkiye and Syria who have once again been affected by a powerful earthquake. We stand with you during this difficult time and are committed to providing aid and support. Another strong quake hits Turkey-Syria border... | washingtonpost.com”

McCaul (R-TX-10) 02/21/2023: Twitter thread – “CHM @RepMcCaul “Assad is a war criminal who is brutalizing the Syrian people & shattering the country w/Russia & Iran's support. He's using this earthquake to re-enter the int'l community through high level diplomacy. The world cannot accept this butcher.Syrian president visits Oman in 1st trip abroad since quake... | apnews.com “He is STILL bombing Syrians after the earthquake. We need to fully enforce US & int'l sanctions, including #Caesar, on Assad & his backers & keep aid out of regime hands– must go straight to the Syrian people to address urgent humanitarian needs.”UK condemns Syrian regime's 'heinous' bombing of rebel town after earthquake... | thenationalnews.com”

Murphy (D-CT) 02/20/2023: Tweet – “I met with a group of Turkish and Syrian Americans today in Hartford to talk about what America must do to support earthquake relief. Link to image”

Iran

Cruz (R-TX) 02/20/2023: Tweet – “Biden's number 1 foreign policy objective when he entered the White House was to reenter the Iran nuclear deal. Get the latest on the Biden admin's foreign policy disaster on #Verdict. Listen here: ‎Verdict with Ted Cruz: Biden Funding Both Sides Of Ukraine War, plus Judicial Intimidation & Covid Natural Immunity on Apple Podcasts... | podcasts.apple.com”

Ryan (D-NY-18) 02/21/2023: Tweet – “#ICYMI: I spoke with Jewish Insider about the rising threat of anti-Semitism and the continued risk Iran poses to US national security. Read more: Pat Ryan takes aim at antisemitism, Iran from the Armed Services Committee... | jewishinsider.com”

Slotkin (D-MI-7) 02/20/2023: Twitter thread – “As we near the anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, it's useful to take stock of where we are & where we could've been had the world not acted. Time & again, the Ukrainians have demonstrated a remarkable will to fight, which is just as important as arms or training. 1/ Link to quoted tweetPresident Joe Biden made an unannounced visit to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Watch his whole speech here: (Watch President Biden's full speech from surprise visit to Kyiv | CNN) But without outside support and unity, it's fair to say it would have been much harder for them to turn back the tide of a nationwide invasion; a short war of attrition would have likely given way to occupation, and strong insurgency. Without unity around sanctions, Russia would have significantly more money to resupply, train and purchase weapons, instead of relying on second-rate powers like Iran to supply their drone program. Without security assistance and humanitarian aid, the Ukrainian economy would have been at risk of collapse, and the refugee crisis would have seen millions more in Europe and beyond, and without any hope of going home. Putin would have likely tried to walk the streets of an occupied Kyiv to demonstrate success. Instead, today, President Biden was there honoring the sacrifice of the Ukrainian people. A failure to act would've been felt widely outside of Ukraine, with higher costs than what we have spent thus far — grain never would've been harvested or left Ukraine, causing an international food crisis, untenable inflation, and instability or state collapse in other places. The nearby Baltic counties, NATO allies so physically close to Russia, would have rightly assumed that they could be next and could have called for the NATO alliance to formally prepare to defend them. Any action Putin could have taken to further threaten Europe could have triggered Article 5 consultations, setting NATO on a collision course with Russia and the very real possibility of outright war, with the U.S. expected to be the lead actor. An unabated take over of Ukraine and aggression towards NATO could have started a spiral of escalation that could have led to American sons and daughters fighting a nuclear state. So when the reflections begin on what we have spent in Ukraine, it is just as important to realize how much more in blood and treasure we would have had to spend if we had sat on our hands. Last summer I traveled to Kyiv to meet with President Zelenskyy & see firsthand what the Ukrainians could do with the weapons we've provided. From holding the line outside Kyiv to reclaiming territory across the East, they've accomplished much, but there is still more to do. I know that for some Americans this conflict has faded into the background, but for the sake of the Ukrainian people, our Allies in NATO, and the cost to the US, it's critical that we continue to maintain the system we built at the end of WWII. That system, girded by American leadership, isn't perfect — but it's the one that has kept us from major world wars for 70+ years.”

Waltz (R-FL-6) 02/21/2023: Tweet – “Biden in his speech in Poland on Ukraine should: 1. Define what success looks like. 2. Demand Europeans do more & match U.S. contributions. 3. Require EU sanctions on Iran for arming Russia. 4. Announce secondary sanctions on any Chinese firms supporting Russia.”

Saudi Arabia

Cornyn (R-TX) 02/20/2023: Tweet – “How China Became Saudi Arabia's Largest Trading Partner How China Became Saudi Arabia's Largest Trading Partner... | visualcapitalist.com”

Cotton (R-AR) 02/21/2023: Tweet – “It was great to meet with U.S. service members in Saudi Arabia, including those from Arkansas. They play a key role in protecting our nation and working with Saudi Arabia to deter our adversaries. Thank you also to the leadership of Prince Sultan Air Base for the tour. Link to image”

Iraq

Bacon (R-NE-2) 02/20/2023: Retweet of @Offutt_AFB – “Special Agent Daniel J. Kuhlmeier was assigned to AFOSI Detachment 204 at Offutt AFB in 2004, where he provided support to the 55th Wing & @US_STRATCOM. He volunteered for deployment to Baghdad, Iraq, & arrived Feb. 8, 2006. #neverforget #OSI Link to quoted tweet”

Mills (R-FL-7) 02/21/2023: In reply to Tweet@CoryMillsFL I see nothing from you opposing the War in Ukraine. You and the Biden administration are walking us to War. You will vote when the time comes to reinstate the draft. As you know, we need more troops to fight Russia. Looks like Dover will be getting busy soon… (Link to twitter.com) – “@Ratintheswamp Ken, you may want to do your homework on me as I've never advocated for war in Ukraine. I also spent 7yrs in Iraq, nearly 3 yrs in Afghanistan, Kosovo, etc. I appreciate your service, but you're not the only person who's fought wars and understands the cost. Recalibrate compass”

Algeria

Doggett (D-TX-37) 02/20/2023: Tweet – “Deeply disturbing violation of press freedom and suppression of an independent voice—violating his freedom and freedom for all. Press Freedom Group Calls for Release of Algerian Journalist... | voanews.com”

United Arab Emirates

Schneider (D-IL-10) 02/21/2023: Tweet – “Excited to see the first purpose built synagogue open in UAE. I look forward to hopefully soon visiting with colleagues. UAE Jewish community opens the Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue ... | jewishinsider.com”

Jewish, Anti-semitism

Lieu (D-CA-36) 02/20/2023: Tweet – “Hi @Santos4Congress: ICYMI, this is what the @RJC actually said about you. Have you gone to any of their events lately? Link to image   Link to quoted tweetRep. George Santos defends his lie about being Jewish by saying the crowd at the Republican Jewish Coalition “were hysterically laughing” at his statement that he was “Jew-ish.” (Link to twitter.com)”

Afghanistan

Fallon (R-TX-4) 02/20/2023: Retweet of @tperkins – “"Where are the high level executives in government that are held accountable? There was no one fired for one of the greatest disasters in American military history." @RepPatFallon on the House Oversight Committee's Afghanistan withdrawal investigation. Washington Watch with Tony Perkins... | tonyperkins.com   Link to video”

Hagerty (R-TN) 02/20/2023: Twitter thread – “Slogans are no substitute for strategy—“as long as it takes” to achieve what specific objectives? As bipartisan lawmakers have said, Biden owes the American people a roadmap to decisively end this conflict in a way that secures US national security interests. Link to quoted tweetToday, President Biden is in Kyiv to reaffirm America's unwavering commitment to Ukraine's democracy, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. The United States of America will stand with the Ukrainian people for as long as it takes. (Link to twitter.com) Remember: Biden's weakness—including his disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan & refusal to implement bipartisan mandatory sanctions laws to halt Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline prior to invasion—paved the way for Putin's aggression in the first place. Biden admin opposed Nord Stream 2 sanctions in January, claimed they were key to deterring Russian aggression... | foxnews.com”