If the Democrats are not careful they will expose their underlying hatred to the entire world…
JERUSALEM (AP) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he will travel to Washington to speak before the U.S. Congress next month despite calls to cancel his speech.
His remarks Monday at an election rally come amid an uproar over his planned speech about Iran before Congress next month.
Netanyahu said: “A bad deal with Iran is forming in Munich that will endanger Israel’s existence. … Therefore I am determined to go to Washington and present Israel’s position before the members of Congress and the American people.”
House Speaker John Boehner, a Republican, extended the invitation without discussing it beforehand with the White House. That angered the administration of President Barack Obama. (read more)
Democrats Skipping The Speech:
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (Ore.) — Wrote a Jan. 29 column in The Huffington Post explaining his decision, saying the Constitution “vests the responsibility for foreign affairs in the president.”
Rep. G.K. Butterfield (N.C.) — The head of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) in a statement focuses on Boehner undermining Obama; also emphasizes he’s not urging a boycott.
Rep. James Clyburn (S.C.) — Clyburn is the highest-ranking Democratic leader to say he’ll skip the speech.
Rep. Raúl Grijalva (Ariz.) — Grijalva is the head of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC).
Rep. Luis Gutierrez (Ill.) — A spokesman told the Chicago Sun-Times Gutierrez has a “strong” record on Israel, but called the speech “a stunt.”
Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas) — “The Congresswoman has no plans to attend the speech at this time,” a spokeswoman said.
Rep. Dan Kildee (Mich.): “We have the invitation and as of right now Congressman Kildee is planning on not attending.”
Rep. Barbara Lee (Calif.) — A member of the Congressional Black Caucus and former head of the CPC.
Rep. John Lewis (Ga.) — His office confirmed he’s not going, but emphasizes he’s not organizing a formal boycott
Rep. Betty McCollum (Minn.): “In my view Mr. Netanyahu’s speech before Congress is nothing more than a campaign event hosted by Speaker Boehner and paid for by the American people,” McCollum said in a statement.”
Rep. Jim McDermott (Wash.) — “I do not intend to attend the speech of Bibi,” he said in an email to a Seattle newspaper.
Rep. Gregory Meeks (N.Y.) — Another CBC member skipping the speech.
Rep. Charles Rangel (N.Y.)
Senate (1)
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) — Sanders said it’s “wrong” that Obama wasn’t consulted about the speech.
Democrats On The Fence:
Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.)
Rep. Yvette Clarke (N.Y.)
Rep. Steve Cohen (Tenn.) — The pro-Israel, Jewish lawmaker, told MSNBC “I haven’t determined exactly what my position should be on that day.” Cohen signed a letter asking Boehner to postpone the speech until after the Israeli elections. Said Boehner shouldn’t have invited Netanyahu in the first place.
Rep. Keith Ellison (Minn.) — Head of the CPC, a member of the CBC and the first Muslim in Congress, he told The Hill that he’s undecided.
Rep. Lois Frankel (Fla.)
Rep. Alan Grayson (Fla.)
Rep. Hank Johnson (Ga.) — A member of the CBC, he said he’s hoping the speech is postponed.
Rep. Alan Lowenthal (Calif.) — Timing is “inappropriate”
Rep. Jim McGovern (Mass.) — Undecided, would like speech pushed back.
Rep. Seth Moulton (Mass.) expressed frustration over the speech to the Boston Globe but would not say if he will attend.
Rep. Grace Napolitano (Calif.)
Rep. Adam Smith (Wash.) — “Troubled” but undecided.
Rep. John Yarmuth (Ky.) — Yarmuth told Politico he “hadn’t thought about” whether he will attend.
Senate
Sen. Chris Coons (Del.) told CNN he is “concerned” by the speech timing.
Sen. Dick Durbin (Ill.)
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (Calif.) expressed worries that the speech would be “obviously political” to CNN.
Sen. Tim Kaine (Va.)
Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) told CNN he is still deciding whether to attend.
Sen. Chris Murphy (Conn.)
Sen. Bill Nelson (Fla.)
Link to List