Last updated on Thu March 16, 2023 at 12:42 PM Washington DC time.
Israel - Palestine
Graham (R-SC) 03/16/2023: Twitter thread – “I fear those who suggest we give in to intimidation by aggressors – like President Biden has done throughout the world – are going to make things dramatically worse, not better. Russia intentionally knocked down a U.S. drone operating legally in international airspace. Ronald Reagan, Donald Trump, and other strong leaders would not take crap like this from adversaries of the United States. I hope the Pentagon sends drones back in the same airspace and lets Russia know that we will defend American assets. Big wars start when brutal aggression is met with weakness. The best way to prevent big wars is to quickly stand up to aggressors. What will lead to a wider war would be to allow Putin to succeed in Ukraine - enticing him to take other territory in Europe - which he claims belongs to Russia. That would lead to an Article 5 NATO violation and American troops would immediately be put in harm's way. In other cases, allowing Iran to continue enriching uranium, ultimately reaching weapons-grade level, will force Israel to eventually act. Weakness against Putin will surely lead to China's invasion of Taiwan. History has shown weakness in the face of aggression and only leads to wider conflict.”
Scott (R-SC) 03/15/2023: Tweet – “I am thankful for the work Agudath Israel is doing on behalf of families and kids. Thank you for continuing to support important legislation like my Educational Choice for Children Act. Students deserve the access to a quality education. Link to video”
Syria
Biggs (R-AZ-5) 03/15/2023: Tweet – “This morning, I spoke to the @gilbertchamber about issues impacting our district. I spoke about water scarcity, border security, the debt ceiling, reducing the federal bureaucracy, and withdrawing our troops from Syria. I've worked on legislation to address these areas. Link to image”
Gaetz (R-FL-1) 03/15/2023: Retweet of @SinclairC2C – “'A very bad decision': @RepMattGaetz blasts Barack Obama for getting U.S. involved in Syrian civil war Link to video”
Menendez (D-NJ) 03/15/2023: Tweet – “Honored to deliver remarks for @CPG_USHMM @HolocaustMuseum's center to #PreventGenocide event marking the 12th anniversary of the start of the conflict in Syria. No matter how long it takes, we must hold the Assad regime accountable for its war crimes. Menendez Speaks to the Holocaust Museum Regarding Syria... | youtube.com”
Risch (R-ID) 03/15/2023: Tweet – “On the 12th anniv of the Syrian revolution, we remember & honor the people of #Syria, who deserve accountability & freedom from the brutal #Assad regime. The Biden Admin's policies & lack of sanctions have frozen the conflict, & we must do more to seek accountability for Assad.”
Iran
Bacon (R-NE-2) 03/15/2023: Retweet of @EliLake – “No normalization with Iran while Iranians are fighting to topple their tormentors. Link to quoted tweet”
Crapo (R-ID) 03/15/2023: Tweet – “Idaho's agriculture industry is a precious resource that should be protected from foreign adversaries. Prohibiting China, Russia, Iran and North Korea from investing in U.S. farmland and agricultural companies is critical for our national security. Crapo Joins Bill to Stop Foreign Adversaries from Buying American Farmland and Agricultural Businesses | U.S. Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho”
Durbin (D-IL) 03/15/2023: Tweet – “The Trump Admin's reckless decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear agreement made the U.S. & world less safe. In my meeting w/ @iaeaorg, I applauded their efforts to monitor Iran's program & secure Ukraine's civilian nuclear power plants against Russian caused catastrophe. Link to image”
Gooden (R-TX-5) 03/15/2023: Tweet – “China, Russia, and Iran are holding joint military drills. What is Joe Biden's Pentagon doing? Hiring multiple "diversity" officers with a salary up to $180,000 a year.”
Kim (R-CA-40) 03/15/2023: Tweet – “Great to join the Orange County Iranian American Chamber of Commerce to kick off Nowruz 2023 & show support for the Iranian people in #MissionViejo! I'm honored to represent a vibrant Persian community in #CA40 & wish all celebrating a Nowruz Mubarak filled with many blessings. Link to image”
Levin (D-CA-49) 03/15/2023: Tweet – “There must be accountability for those within the Iranian government who choose to advance and legitimize brutal repression. That's why I co-signed this letter urging the Administration to take additional action against Iranian officials. Link to image”
Menendez (D-NJ) 03/15/2023: Tweet – “Good to host @iaeaorg Director General @rafaelmgrossi in the Capitol. Discussed Iran's deeply concerning march toward 90% enrichment, nuclear safety at Ukrainian power plants, & the importance nuclear energy holds in our efforts toward sustainability & combatting climate change. Link to image Link to quoted tweetThanks @SenatorMenendez and @SenatorRisch for hosting me at the 🇺🇸 US Senate @SFRCdems, @SenateForeign. Important to share @IAEAorg's essential work on nuclear safety and security at 🇺🇦 Ukraine's #Zaporizhzhya NPP, and efforts to promote peaceful use of nuclear technology. (Link to twitter.com)”
Risch (R-ID) 03/15/2023: Tweet – “.@rafaelmgrossi has no shortage of issues to address at @iaeaorg, including #Iran's uranium enrichment & #Russia's takeover of the largest power plant in Europe. He's an effective leader & I look forward to continuing to work w/ him to address these issues.Risch Meets with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi | United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Link to image”
Risch (R-ID) 03/15/2023: Tweet – “The U.S. has an enduring interest in a prosperous, democratic, & stable Western Hem. The Biden Admin should focus on addressing malign influence from #Russia, #China, & #Iran in the region, as well as the crises in #Venezuela, #Colombia, #Haiti, & more. Ranking Member Risch Opening Remarks at Hearing on Future of U.S.-Brazil Relations | United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations”
Scott (R-FL) 03/16/2023: Tweet – “Communist China colludes with our adversaries like Russia, Cuba, Venezuela and Iran to undermine the United States and create global instability. Watch today's @SASCGOP hearing to hear what we're doing to stop them. 📺: Open/Closed: To receive testimony on the posture of United States Central Command and United States Africa Command in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2024 and the Future Years Defense Program | United States Senate Committee on Armed Services Link to image”
Van Orden (R-WI-3) 03/16/2023: Tweet – “The Biden admin, with the stellar leadership of @secblinken and @secdef, have pulled off of foreign relations coup. They have driven China, Russia, & Iran together diplomatically and militarily. This is sure to lead to great things for America. Bravo. China, Russia and Iran to conduct military drills in Gulf of Oman... | thenationalnews.com”
Waltz (R-FL-6) 03/16/2023: Tweet – “An absence of leadership from Biden has led to a new axis of authoritarianism. This is what happens when you don't adequately respond to spy balloons/hacked U.S. pipelines/etc. Link to quoted tweetThe Chinese, Iranian, and Russian armies and navy will hold joint military drills starting this week, according to a statement released by China's Ministry of Defense. The three countries started joint naval drills in 2019 in the Indian Ocean & Sea of Oman.”
Saudi Arabia
Cruz (R-TX) 03/15/2023: Tweet – “🤦♂️ Biden foreign policy is utterly backwards: “The deal would…bring Saudi Arabia closer to its biggest trading partner, China, without alienating its top security partner in Washington, WHERE OFFICIALS SAID THE SAW THE DETENTE AS POSITIVE.” Saudi Crown Prince Test Drives Nonaligned Foreign Policy... | wsj.com”
Iraq
Bilirakis (R-FL-12) 03/15/2023: Tweet – “It was a privilege to honor MPC Kay who did 4 deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq. He completed over 275 Special Operation raids, and helped apprehend several high profile enemy leaders. Thank you, Kay, for your incredible service and devotion with the 75th Army Ranger Regiment! Link to image”
Menendez (D-NJ) 03/16/2023: Tweet – “TUNE IN: Headed to the @DSenFloor to open the debate to repeal AUMFs against Iraq. Stream live ~11:20am: Menendez Speaks on Bill to Repeal the AUMF for Iraq... | youtube.com Link to quoted tweetToday we assert our prerogative to determine how current & future admins justify the use of military force. AUMFs are #SFRC's most solemn responsibility. It is our duty not just to pass them, but to exercise vigilance & assess when they are obsolete. (Chairman Menendez Announces Committee Approval to Repeal 1991, 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMFs) | United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations) (Link to twitter.com)”
Paul (R-KY) 03/16/2023: Tweet – “War is sometimes necessary, but going to war should not be the decision of one person. Ending congressional authorization for the Iraq War and the Afghanistan war returns the war power to the American people and their representatives. Link to video”
Paul (R-KY) 03/16/2023: Retweet of @RStatecraft – “The Senate is expected to vote today to repeal the 2002 Iraq #AUMF. As @SenRandPaul writes here, it is largely symbolic. The big fish is the 2001 law. Does congress have the guts to reel that one in? Time to rip up the president's blank check for war - Responsible Statecraft”
Schumer (D-NY) 03/15/2023: Tweet – “Every year we keep the Iraq AUMFs on the books is just another chance for future Administrations to abuse or misuse them beyond their original intent. Tomorrow, we will vote on officially and finally repealing them. It's past time to turn the page on this chapter of history.”
Young (R-IN) 03/16/2023: Tweet – “Today, the Senate will begin voting on bipartisan legislation to repeal the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs and formally end the Gulf and Iraq wars. @timkaine and I wrote about why we introduced this bill and why Congress should pass it. This Democrat, Republican agree it's time to get Iraq war laws off the books... | foxnews.com”
Türkiye
Shaheen (D-NH) 03/15/2023: Tweet – “Today, @SenThomTillis and I met with representatives from the Turkish government and U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye, Jeff Flake. Our statement: Link to image”
Yemen
Khanna (D-CA-17) 03/15/2023: In reply to Tweet@RoKhanna Your new big money super PAC donor, David Sacks, spent $1 million in 2022 to put JD Vance, a Trump insurrection anti-woman GOP radical, in the Senate. The new super PAC he started has given more than $100K to Ron DeSantis. His political propaganda *is* demonizing progressives (Link to twitter.com) – “@chargrille Respect your activism. I did everything for Tim Ryan, and have never taken a dime of PAC money. Sachs event was planned well before SVB because of my opposition to Yemen war, call for cuts in bloated defense & 1st Amend. I am for progressives values + broadening support for them.”
Pakistan
Trone (D-MD-6) 03/15/2023: Tweet – “Extremely alarmed at the violence and unrest unfolding in Pakistan in recent days. I condemn the suppression of fundamental human rights and freedoms of Pakistanis. We're paying close attention to this issue and strongly urge leaders to protect democratic values in Pakistan.”
Jewish, Anti-semitism
Lee (R-UT) 03/16/2023: In reply to Tweet@StephenM Thank you, Dr. Goebbels. – “@kimballmd @StephenM You're calling a Jewish guy “Dr. Goebbels”because he's not a lib? Seriously?”
Vargas (D-CA-52) 03/15/2023: Tweet – “San Diego has no place for hate, violence, or bigotry against the Jewish community. I'm proud the Board of Supervisors denounced antisemitic rhetoric and hate crimes with a resolution yesterday. SD County Board of Supervisors Passes Resolution Denouncing Antisemitism... | timesofsandiego.com”
Wild (D-PA-7) 03/16/2023: Tweet – “We all have a role to play in making it clear that antisemitism is a threat to all, not just those of us who are Jewish—b/c antisemitism is an existential threat to our values as Americans. This work must continue, every single day, to root out hate in PA. ‘A threat to all of us': Antisemitism summit discusses ways to fight back against hate... | mcall.com”
Afghanistan
Burchett (R-TN-2) 03/16/2023: Tweet – “Washington Wednesday: Who's accountable for Afghanistan? | WORLD Washington Wednesday: Who's accountable for Afghanistan?... | wng.org”
McCaul (R-TX-10) 03/15/2023: Tweet – “Today I got to sit down with @KBTXNews to talk about the grand opening of my College Station office, my work to honor the veterans who served in Afghanistan, and more. Tune in at 4pm CT for the full interview! Link to image”
McCaul (R-TX-10) 03/15/2023: Twitter thread – “CHM @RepMcCaul issued the following statement in response to the @StateDept's ongoing failure to comply w/ our investigation into the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal & their efforts to mislead Americans into thinking the @StateDept is complying w/ our document requests⬇️ Link to image Find the full statement here⬇️McCaul: State Continues to Mislead American Public on Failed Afghanistan Withdrawal - Committee on Foreign Affairs In response to CHM @RepMcCaul's request on January 12, 2023, @StateDept only provided two small productions totaling 236 pages, including 218 pages of previously released FOIA'd documents- many included significant redactions with no explanation. Link to image 88 out of the 218 FOIA'd pages consisted of @USIP's Afghanistan Study Group Report, a document originally published in February 2021. Link to PDF | usip.org On February 10, 2023, the @StateDept produced 18 pages of opening statements from a June 15, 2022 briefing - which were requested at the briefing itself and repeatedly since. They should have been provided in June 2022, not eight months later.”
Moulton (D-MA-6) 03/16/2023: Retweet of @WBZNightside – “Rep. Moulton joined to discuss variety of topics including legislation that aids service members: Brandon Act & GI Bill Restoration Act, US Special Immigrant Visa program for US allies trapped in Afghanistan, preserving AM radio in EVs & more. Rep. Seth Moulton Checks In! (8 p.m.) - NightSide With Dan Rea | iHeart Photo:Getty Link to image”
Other - Middle East
Booker (D-NJ) 03/15/2023: Tweet – “On International Day to Combat Islamophobia, we are reminded of the disturbing rise in anti-Muslim hate and the work that remains to end such intolerance & bigotry. We must be united to combat all forms of hate whenever and wherever they arise.”
Greene (R-GA-14) 03/15/2023: Tweet – “AMERICA IS UNDER ATTACK! Not in Ukraine, not in the Middle East — at our Southern border. #SecureOurBorder Watch my brand new ad! Link to video”
Hunt (R-TX-38) 03/16/2023: Twitter thread – “The Mexican drug cartels are the NEW American Sleeper Cell. The DEA's latest assessment found that major Mexican cartels are operating in at least 60 American cities. READ my latest op-ed ⤵️ #CartelTerror Mexican cartels are as dangerous as Al Qaeda and ISIS. Will Team Biden ever wake up?... | foxnews.com Mexican cartels have full operational control of our southern border, making it easy for them to smuggle people and drugs into the United States. The DEA estimates that 90% of all of the illegal drugs in the United States enter through our southern border, which has been responsible for killing over 100,000 Americans in 2022 alone. Under President Biden, America has lost more people to drug overdoses than Americans who perished during WWI. The number of deadly drug overdoses recorded under President Biden triples the number of Americans who died during the Vietnam war. Action must also be taken to prevent more drugs from entering the country, and the best way to do this is by strengthening our southern border with Mexico. In addition to preventing the flow of drugs across the border, efforts must be made to eliminate the Mexican drug cartels operating within the country. Federal agencies, working in conjunction with state and local law enforcement, need to launch a comprehensive program to identify, sanction, and dismantle the cartels operating in our neighborhoods. If we don't eliminate this threat, we stand to lose a generation of Americans to drug overdoses and cartel violence. If we don't act now, we risk never regaining the sovereignty of our nation again.”
Hunt (R-TX-38) 03/16/2023: Tweet – “The Mexican drug cartels are the NEW American Sleeper Cell. The DEA's latest assessment found that major Mexican cartels are operating in at least 60 American cities. READ 📖 Rep. Hunt's latest op-ed where he details a plan to dismantle the cartels. Mexican cartels are as dangerous as Al Qaeda and ISIS. Will Team Biden ever wake up?... | foxnews.com”
Pocan (D-WI-2) 03/16/2023: In reply to TweetAMERICA IS UNDER ATTACK! Not in Ukraine, not in the Middle East — at our Southern border. #SecureOurBorder Watch my brand new ad! (Link to twitter.com) – “@mtgreenee It's sad you are such a snowflake. Too bad anyone who's not a White Christian Nationalist scares you.”
Rosendale (R-MT-2) 03/15/2023: Tweet – “Extremism from the courts has escalated from legislating to dangerous language against the opposition. This must stop! Link to quoted tweetFormer Montana Supreme Court Justice James Nelson just called for a “jihad” against the @MTFreedomCaucus because they are currently pushing several constitutional amendments in the legislature to hold the court accountable for legislating from the bench. (Link to twitter.com)”