Prominent Republican Mike McCaul is urging Congress to swiftly pass a resolution expressing support for Israel, regardless of whether a new House Speaker has been elected. McCaul, the Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, is calling on his colleagues to bring a resolution condemning Hamas to the floor, with or without a Speaker in place. McCaul, along with Gregory Meeks, the committee’s ranking Democrat, has been working on this resolution following the recent attacks by Hamas on Israel’s southern border. They plan to push it through “by unanimous consent” to send a timely message, given the watching eyes of China and Iran.
This appeal comes amid growing impatience within Congress, from both parties, to demonstrate solidarity with Israel, a crucial Middle East ally. Senate Democrats are actively pushing for the confirmation of Jack Lew as the Ambassador to Israel, a position that remains vacant. Additionally, some moderate House Republicans are contemplating reappointing Kevin McCarthy as Speaker to prevent further delays in assisting Israel due to a protracted speakership battle.
McCaul emphasized the need to act swiftly, as any delay in Congress might send negative signals to global adversaries like China and Iran. He stressed the importance of electing a Speaker to facilitate actions such as replenishing Israel’s Iron Dome defense system.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also called on House Republicans to resolve their internal differences to address the crisis in Israel and attend to domestic and national security issues effectively.
The Biden administration has strongly condemned Hamas’ attack on Israel, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken characterizing it as the most severe since the Yom Kippur War in 1973. President Joe Biden reaffirmed unwavering support for Israel’s security. While Congress’s current turmoil may not completely hinder the administration’s ability to assist Israel, it threatens to slow down Washington’s actions and potentially diminish the perception of U.S. strength on the world stage.
While some members of Congress express concerns about possible consequences of the Speaker’s seat remaining vacant, others argue that a brief delay in choosing a new Speaker will not hinder the U.S. response. The conflict in Israel has the potential to divide Congress further, especially if the situation escalates, but many lawmakers are determined to ensure that Israel has the freedom of action it needs, supported by American military, diplomatic, and political backing.
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