Members on the Record (Automated) for Sat April 01, 2023

Israel - Palestine

Cornyn (R-TX) 04/01/2023: Twitter thread – “How the US mission in Syria evolved into a proxy war with Iran How the US mission in Syria evolved into a proxy war with Iran... | taskandpurpose.com Syria plays an integral part of Iran's strategy to become the biggest power in the Middle East, expel all U.S. forces from the region, and destroy Israel”

Hinson (R-IA-2) 03/31/2023: Tweet – “This is an important message from @SpeakerMcCarthy – Israel is our closest ally. We have an unshakable bond rooted in our shared commitment to freedom and democracy. Iowans and all Americans are unwavering in our support for Israel! Link to quoted tweetMcCarthy issues a statement in support of @netanyahu. (Link to twitter.com)”

Lamborn (R-CO-5) 03/31/2023: Retweet of @AIPAC – “A strong U.S.-Israel alliance helps both countries confront emerging threats. Thank you @RepJoeWilson @RepGolden @RepDLamborn @RepJasonCrow @RepMikeTurner @RepPatRyanNY for leading this important bipartisan bill to deepen 🇺🇸🇮🇱 defense collaboration and Lawmakers push for funding for U.S.-Israel collaborative defense, technology projects... | jewishinsider.com… Show more”

Malliotakis (R-NY-11) 03/31/2023: Tweet – “The trilateral relationship of Greece, Cyprus & Israel is crucial to providing our European allies with alternatives to Russian energy. If we've learned anything from Europe, it's that being independent of adversaries is critical for national security! Greece, Cyprus and Israel Vow to Create Energy Corridor to Europe... | greekreporter.com”

Sherman (D-CA-32) 03/31/2023: Tweet – “It's always great to see my good friend @AmbHerzog to discuss strengthening the U.S.-#Israel relationship and countering regional threats from #Iran. Link to image”

Turner (R-OH-10) 04/01/2023: Retweet of @AIPAC – “A strong U.S.-Israel alliance helps both countries confront emerging threats. Thank you @RepJoeWilson @RepGolden @RepDLamborn @RepJasonCrow @RepMikeTurner @RepPatRyanNY for leading this important bipartisan bill to deepen 🇺🇸🇮🇱 defense collaboration and Lawmakers push for funding for U.S.-Israel collaborative defense, technology projects... | jewishinsider.com… Show more”

Syria

Gaetz (R-FL-1) 03/31/2023: Tweet – “3/8/23 - House Floor Link to video   Link to quoted tweetThe Pentagon said on Thursday that six U.S. troops in Syria suffered traumatic brain injuries after an attack on their positions last week by Iran-backed militias. (Pentagon: Six U.S. Troops Suffered Traumatic Brain Injuries from Attacks by Iran-Backed Syrian Militia... | trib.al)”

Simpson (R-ID-2) 03/31/2023: Retweet of @NateNewsNow – “His daughter's class was playing Heads up, Seven Up (remember that game?) when he walked in, tapped her thumb and waited for her to put her head. "DADDY!!!!" she yelled. Army dad returning from Syria surprises daughter in Rexburg classroom - East Idaho News”

Lebanon

Meuser (R-PA-9) 03/31/2023: Tweet – “We pause today to mark one year since the death of Lebanon Police Department Lt. William Lebo in the line of duty while responding to a domestic disturbance. Our hearts go out to his widow, Lora, his family, and all those who feel his loss. Link to image”

Iran

Marshall (R-KS) 03/31/2023: Tweet – “The same week that Christian children were targeted & murdered by a transgender activist & China brokered historic deals with Russia, Saudi Arabia & Iran, Joe Biden's team decided this was the best thing to tweet. I have to believe they're intentionally tone-deaf & out of touch. Link to quoted tweetOn Transgender Day of Visibility, we want you to know that we see you just as you are: Made in the image of God and deserving of dignity, respect, and support. We'll never stop working to create a world where you won't have to be brave just to be yourself. (Link to twitter.com)”

Wicker (R-MS) 03/31/2023: Tweet – “The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Iran has continued to support the Kremlin's war crimes and spread global terror. It poses a clear threat. I joined my colleagues in a letter urging the EU to designate them as a foreign terrorist organization. Risch, Colleagues Encourage EU to Designate IRGC as Terrorist Organization | United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations”

Wilson (R-SC-2) 03/31/2023: Retweet of @HouseForeignGOP – “CHM @RepMcCaul, Middle East, North Africa, & Central Asia Subcmte Chairman @RepJoeWilson, & Europe Subcmte Chairman #RepTomKeanJr sent a letter to @SecBlinken urging him to impose mandatory sanctions in response to the Gov of Iran's significant defense transactions with Russia⬇️ Link to image”

Wilson (R-SC-2) 03/31/2023: Tweet – “Grateful to introduce bipartisan legislation with @USRepKeating, @RepDeanPhillips, and @RepTenney to ensure that American and EU products are not being used in Iranian drones to attack our allies and murder civilians. Link to image”

Saudi Arabia

Bacon (R-NE-2) 04/01/2023: Tweet – “We should not have to rely on foreign dictators for our energy. ❌ Russia ❌ China ❌ Venezuela ❌ Saudi Arabia I voted for H.R. 1 this week, a major step towards American energy independence.”

Khanna (D-CA-17) 04/01/2023: Tweet – “Saudi Arabia bears the most responsibility for the war in Yemen. “Absolutely not - it's a non-starter” was my response to whether the US should help Saudi become a nuclear power. I hope other lawmakers will make this clear on a bipartisan basis. Inside Saudi Arabia's Global Push for Nuclear Power... | nytimes.com”

Raskin (D-MD-8) 03/31/2023: Retweet of @OversightDems – “🚨🚨🚨 If Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the U.A.E. invested billions in Jared Kushner's firm as a quid pro quo for policy actions in the White House, these may be constitutional and statutory offenses. America needs to know. Kushner's Firm Was Backed by Investments From the Emirates and Qatar... | nytimes.com”

Iraq

Allred (D-TX-32) 03/31/2023: Tweet – “Congress should lead on foreign policy, and repealing the AUMF ensures Congress no longer abdicates its constitutional duty. As a member of @houseforeign, I'll work to pass it in the House. Senate to vote to repeal Iraq war authorizations 20 years after invasion... | cbsnews.com”

Pallone (D-NJ-6) 03/31/2023: Tweet – “This is a promising step forward in reclaiming the power of Congress to authorize military force. The 2002 authorization for the invasion of Iraq was used for far too long to circumvent Congressional authority and justify a decades-long war. Decades Later, Senate Votes to Repeal Iraq Military Authorizations... | nytimes.com”

Welch (D-VT) 03/31/2023: Tweet – “The U.S. has felt the consequences of endless conflict. That's why I'm working with @SenatorDurbin and @SenOssoff to set a ten-year sunset for future AUMFs and declarations of war. Link to quoted tweetYesterday, the Senate voted to repeal 2 outdated Iraq-related AUMFs. Now, we're taking it a step further and adding an expiration date for future AUMFs. My bill w/ @SenOssoff & @PeterWelch will ensure that Congress doesn't leave open ended authorizations of force in the future. (Link to twitter.com)”

Türkiye

Durbin (D-IL) 03/31/2023: Tweet – “Pleased to see Finland join NATO — adding a formidable ally to the alliance and reminding the world of Putin's continued miscalculations. Calling on Hungary and Turkey to move forward with Sweden's membership without further delay. Link to quoted tweetBreaking news: Turkey's parliament has voted to approve Finland's NATO membership bid, paving the way for the Nordic country to join the security alliance. Finland made the decision to join the alliance after Russia invaded Ukraine. (Turkey approves Finland's NATO bid, clearing path for it to join alliance... | wapo.st)”

Kaptur (D-OH-9) 03/31/2023: Tweet – “Turkey's move to endorse Finland's inclusion in @NATO is welcome news. Nation's that respect each other's sovereign borders and territorial integrity help build a more peaceful world. Finland Clears Last Hurdle to Joining NATO... | nytimes.com”

Meeks (D-NY-5) 04/01/2023: Tweet – “RM @RepGregoryMeeks: Fantastic news - welcome to our Finnish friends and soon to be Allies! Now it's time for Turkey and Hungary to approve Sweden's bid.  Turkey formally approves Finland's NATO membership... | cnbc.com”

Menendez (D-NJ) 03/31/2023: Twitter thread – “This #WomensHistoryMonth presented an important opportunity for us to honor the incredible achievements & sacrifices of women & girls around the world who continue to speak truth to power in the face of grave threats to their fundamental liberties & #HumanRights. Founder of the Afghan Refugees Solidarity Association, 2023 International Woman of Courage Award recipient Zakira Hekmat secretly finished high school under Taliban rule. Through @arsa_org, she continues to promote all refugees' dignity & #HumanRights. Link to quoted tweetBorn in Afghanistan, Zakira Hekmat completed high school secretly under the Taliban's control. In 2014, from a one-room office, she founded the Afghan Refugee Solidarity Association in Türkiye, where she has tirelessly advocated for the rights of all refugees and women. #IWOC (Link to twitter.com) Journalist Iryna Danylovych promoted transparency in Crimea's health sector before Russia's occupation forces illegally detained her. She suffers from health issues & began a dry hunger strike this month. I join @TLHumanRights as an advocate for her & other Ukrainian journalists. We demand the release of Sue Sha Shinn Thant, who was sentenced to 25 years in jail on trumped up charges & has worked to advance LGBTQI+ rights, hold the Tatmadaw to account & continues to demonstrate powerful commitment to the Burmese people's #HumanRights& democratic future. The women who led the “white paper" protests against growing authoritarianism in China displayed unwavering bravery in the face of potential violence & reprisal. As Xi Jinping's anti-feminist crackdown intensifies, the women of China have shown they cannot be silenced. Democratic leader Maria Kalesnikava bravely tore up her passport rather than be thrown out of #Belarus by Lukashenka's security forces. The regime unjustly sentenced her to 11 years in prison. We demand her & other prisoners' immediate release. Guatemalan senior prosecutor Virginia Laparra was sentenced to 4 years in jail in retaliation for her work with the International Commission Against Impunity to root out government malfeasance. We call for the release of Laparra & all wrongfully detained prisoners of conscience. .@CPASL's Bhavani Fonseka has pushed for legal & policy advancements to assist victims of atrocities & other #HumanRights abuses in Sri Lanka. Her efforts to combat inequality & discrimination against ethnic & religious minorities continue to pave the way for concrete reforms. As @asia_ajar Co-Founder & Director, Galuh Wandita has critically led efforts to advance #HumanRights throughout Asia, including by strengthening truth commissions in Timor-Leste & Indonesia to promote justice & shed light on the region's brutal past. Jailed nearly 6 years ago on heavily disputed charges, former Philippines Senator @AttyLeiladeLima led an important investigation into extrajudicial killings linked to the Duterte government's violent “war on drugs” & its blatant disregard for the Filipino people's #HumanRights. Vilma Núñez de Escorcia—President of Centro Nicaragüense de Derechos Humanos—has spent more than 60 years defending #HumanRights in Nicaragua. In support, we must continue to push the regime to restore democratic governance & demand an end to its violent campaign of repression. Environmental activist Nguy Thi Khanh founded the Green Innovation & Development Centre to promote sustainable energy in Vietnam. Persecuted for her advocacy, she was sentenced to 2 years in jail on trumped up charges after opposing coal power expansion. We demand her release. The leadership, fortitude, & resilience of these & many other women & girls continue to make our world a better place. Committed to stand shoulder to shoulder with them as we safeguard democracy & #HumanRights, advance climate protections, & combat inequality. #WomensHistoryMonth”

Risch (R-ID) 03/31/2023: Tweet – “Although long-overdue, I'm glad the final votes have been taken to bring Finland into @NATO. Now, #Turkey and #Hungary should quickly move accession protocols for #Sweden to join as well. The alliance will be stronger with both of these important partners.”

Shaheen (D-NH) 03/31/2023: Twitter thread – “This is a historic moment for the Alliance, which is the strongest and most unified it's ever been. I commend our @NATO Allies for their commitment to our global security & shared goals, which is reaffirmed by the approval of Finland's protocols. Link to quoted tweet❝Finland will formally join our Alliance in the coming days. Their membership will make Finland safer and NATO stronger. I look forward to also welcoming Sweden as a full member of the NATO family as soon as possible.❞ — Secretary General @jensstoltenberg (Link to twitter.com) Finland will be an invaluable asset to our Alliance. But more work remains. Sweden is also a critical partner and I urge Türkiye and Hungary to swiftly approve Sweden's entry to NATO to strengthen our collective defense against Russian aggression.”

Van Hollen (D-MD) 03/31/2023: Tweet – “Finland joining NATO will strengthen our united front for democracy—one that'll be even stronger when its neighbor, Sweden, is also allowed to join. While this is a positive step, efforts by Turkey & Hungary to delay Sweden's NATO accession are unacceptable and must be overcome. Link to quoted tweetFinland won final approval on Thursday to join NATO after decades of nonalignment, a major shift in the balance of power between the West and Russia that was set off by the invasion of Ukraine. (Finland Clears Last Hurdle to Joining NATO... | nyti.ms)”

Yemen

Durbin (D-IL) 03/31/2023: Tweet – “I was lucky enough to stop by @QahwahHouse, the only Yemeni coffee shop in all of Illinois, and try some of their coffee, chai, and traditional Yemeni baked goods. I can now confidently say Yemen is home to some delicious coffee and tea. Link to image”

Pakistan

Meeks (D-NY-5) 03/31/2023: Retweet of @HouseForeign – “RM @RepGregoryMeeks: Deeply concerned by the rise in violence and political tensions in Pakistan. Respect for the rule of law and free and fair elections are foundational for any democracy.”

Jewish, Anti-semitism

Beyer (D-VA-8) 04/01/2023: Tweet – “I wrote the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act to improve coordination between law enforcement at every level in responding to hate crimes. Too many departments failed to properly report 2021 hate crime data; until they do, we will lack the data this law was intended to provide. Link to quoted tweetWith the rise in Anti-Asian and antisemitic hate crimes, there's no excuse for law enforcement agencies to fail to meet their hate crime reporting requirements. I'm proud to join the NY delegation to call for the DOJ to bring agencies into compliance. (Link to twitter.com)”

Bush (D-MO-1) 04/01/2023: Tweet – “Instead of focusing on the issues facing Missourians, you've decided to make an official statement about the former President rooted in right wing, antisemitic talking points. Governor, your job is to serve the people of Missouri — ALL THE PEOPLE. Link to quoted tweetMy Statement on the Indictment of Former President Trump: Yet again, another Soros-backed prosecutor uses the rule of law to serve his own political agenda, not justice. 1/2”

Durbin (D-IL) 03/31/2023: In reply to TweetBorn to Russian Jewish immigrants, Pearl M. Hart was the 1st woman appointed as a public defender in the Morals Court. She devoted her life to defending children, women, immigrants, & members of the LGBTQ community & was known as “Guardian Angel of Chicago's Gay Community.” #WHM (Link to twitter.com) – “"The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams." - Oprah Winfrey The "Oprah Winfrey Show" aired for 25 seasons in Chicago. Oprah was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1994, & later awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013. #WHM Link to image Born and raised on Chicago's South Side, Michelle Obama became an accomplished attorney & passionate public servant. During her 8 years in the WH, she moved the nation w/ her advocacy for education & public health. She continues to move the nation today. #WHM2023 Link to image Last but not least is soldier, Senator, mother, and my partner in the Senate, @SenDuckworth. Senator Duckworth has a special place in history as the 1st Thai-American woman and, as a double amputee, the 1st woman with a disability elected to Congress. #WHM2023 Link to image”

Afghanistan

Reschenthaler (R-PA-14) 03/31/2023: Tweet – “Defense Secretary Austin says he has “no regrets” over the Afghanistan withdrawal. 13 U.S. service members were killed. 175 Americans were abandoned. $7 billion worth of U.S. military equipment was left behind. Congress will hold the Biden Administration accountable.”

Sullivan (R-AK) 03/31/2023: Retweet of @FaulknerFocus – “Don't think for a second President Biden's failed foreign policies are fading away. Watch Alaska's Republican @SenDanSullivan tell Harris how Biden's deadly Afghanistan exit has people around the world talking like it happened yesterday. #BidenAfghanistan Link to video”

Sullivan (R-AK) 03/31/2023: Tweet – “The Biden administration's botched withdrawal from Afghanistan still reverberates around the world. It was a shock to the system of every country in the world that has relied on America, and certainly was a big reason why Putin moved into Ukraine. Link to video”