Nadene Goldfoot
The Democratic Party is a center-left political party in the United States. One of the major parties of the U.S., it was founded in 1828, making it the world's oldest active political party. Its main rival since the 1850s has been the Republican Party, and the two have since dominated American politics.
Israel
Hakeem Jeffries age 55 Minority Leader of the U.S House of Representatives visited Israel for his first trip abroad as House Democratic leader. In Israel, he led a delegation of House Democrats (Gregory Meeks, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Yvette Clarke, Stacey Plaskett, Nanette Barragan, Josh Gottheimer, Steven Horsford, Lizzie Fletcher, Joe Neguse, Dean Phillips, and Sara Jacobs) and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Hakeem Sekou Jeffries born August 4, 1970) is an American politician and attorney who has served as House minority leader and leader of the House Democratic Caucus since 2023. Currently in his seventh term, Jeffries has been the U.S. representative for New York's 8th congressional district since 2013.
Jeffries firmly supports Israel's right to exist as a Jewish and democratic state. He has been called "one of the most pro-Israel Democrats in the House". Jeffries also believes Israel has the right to defend itself from terrorism.
Pro-Israel groups cheered Jeffries's ascent to House Democratic leader due to his staunch support for Israel. He has traveled to Israel five times since being elected to Congress. In 2020, Jeffries told an American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference that "back home in New York City we consider Jerusalem to be the sixth borough".
Upon the onset of the Gaza war, Jefferies reiterated his support for Israel, saying, "Our commitment to Israel's security is ironclad." On November 9, 2023, he rejected calls for a ceasefire. Jeffries spoke at the March for Israel on November 14, 2023, condemning antisemitism and calling for the safe return of all hostages taken captive by Hamas, and a "just and lasting peace".
Katherine Clark-Minority Whip of the United States House of Representatives
(born July 17, 1963) age 62, She's one of those Democrats I condemned for not staying and listening to Netanyahu's speech on purpose. In March 2015, Clark decided not to attend the speech by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu before a joint session of Congress. She affirmed a commitment to maintaining and strengthening the relationship between the U.S. and Israel but noted that the invitation was offered without first consulting the Obama administration, and my opinion is that Obama was not "turned on" with Netanyahu. In 2023, and I imagine it was the October 7th attack on Israelis, Clark voted to provide Israel with support following the Hamas attack on Israel. It was Biden as President then, and supported Israel gladly after that. Katherine Marlea Clark is an American lawyer and politician who has served as House Minority Whip since 2023 and is currently in her seventh term as the U.S. representative for Massachusetts's 5th congressional district, having held the post since 2013. She previously served as Assistant Speaker from 2021 to 2023 and Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus from 2019 to 2021. Clark was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 2008 to 2011 and the Massachusetts Senate from 2011 to 2013. After running unopposed, Clark was elected as the minority whip on November 30, 2022
CHAIRMAN AGUILAR: Good morning. Pleased to be joined by our friend and colleague and newly-elected DPCC Chair, Debbie Dingell. Our classmate — Ted Lieu and Debbie and I all came in together in the class of 2014. I’m honored to be standing up here with her. Congratulations, Debbie. I want to begin this week by condemning, in the strongest possible terms, Iran's unprovoked attack against Israel. As missiles and drones rained down on our closest ally in the Middle East over the weekend, the strength of the U.S.-Israel relationship was on full display. We're grateful to President Biden and our military commanders for their work with Israel and regional allies to ensure that lives were saved and damage was minimized. But Congress must show the rest of the world that our support for the safety and security of the Israeli people will never waver. We need to act immediately on aid to Israel, humanitarian assistance for the people in Gaza and aid for Ukraine. We must send a strong message, not just for our adversary in Iran, but to Russia and China as well. Every day that we delay the consideration of aid to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, we jeopardize America's role in the free world. Nothing is more important to the pro-Putin wing of the House Republican Conference than reelecting Donald Trump. Not American exceptionalism, not the security of our allies and not even democracy. The same group that has undermined our ability to support our allies are pushing Russia propaganda on the House floor, and that's what their own members say. It's time for Speaker Johnson to do the right thing and to put this critical funding for an up or down vote.
Ted Lieu
Ted Win-Ping Lieu age 56, Congressman of 36th District in California, , born March 29, 1969) Lieu was born in 1969 in Taipei, Taiwan, .and is an American lawyer and politician. He is a member of the Democratic Party and has represented California's 36th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives since 2023. He represented the 33rd congressional district from 2015 to 2023. The district includes South Bay and Westside regions of Los Angeles, as well as Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, the Palos Verdes Peninsula, and Beach Cities. From 2000 to 2021 he served in the Air Force Reserve Command, and he attained the rank of colonel in 2015. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi appointed Lieu assistant whip of the 115th Congress in 2017. He has been vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus since 2023.Lieu is one of two Taiwanese American members of the 114th United States Congress, along with New York's Grace Meng. Lieu voted against the Iran deal. On April 25, 2018, 57 members of the House of Representatives, including Lieu, released a condemnation of Holocaust distortion in Ukraine and Poland. They criticized Poland's new Holocaust law, which would criminalize accusing Poland of complicity in the Holocaust, and Ukraine's 2015 memory laws glorifying Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) and its leaders, such as Roman Shukhevych. Lieu continued to serve in the Air Force Reserve from 2000 to 2021; in this capacity, he was promoted to his terminal rank of colonel in December 2015.
“I continue to closely monitor the situation and developments in the Middle East, and join fellow Americans in praying for the people of Israel. Earlier this week, the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog — the International Atomic Energy Agency — declared Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations. A nuclear Iran would pose an undeniable threat to Israel, the United States and our allies, and Israel, like all nations, has the undeniable right to defend itself against any imminent threat. I urge the President and his administration to ensure that U.S. civilians, personnel and forces stationed across the region are protected, and will continue to support efforts to bring stability and peace to the region.”
Mike Johnson: Speaker of the United States House of Representatives,
James Michael Johnson (born January 30, 1972) age 53, is an American lawyer and politician serving as the 56th speaker of the United States House of Representatives since 2023. A member of the Republican Party, he is in his fifth House term, having represented Louisiana's 4th congressional district since 201. Johnson visited Israel in February 2020 with 12Tribe Films Foundation.
The first measure the House considered after Johnson became speaker was a resolution expressing support for Israel after the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel. Johnson voted for the resolution. On November 2, 2023, the House passed a Johnson-supported bill to give Israel $14.3 billion in aid. On November 14, 2023, Johnson said calls for a ceasefire in the Gaza war in the Gaza Strip were "outrageous", adding, "Israel will cease their counter-offensive when Hamas ceases to be a threat to the Jewish state." AIPAC, a large pro-Israel lobbyist organization, was Johnson's largest financial donor in 2023.
Steve Scalises, Majority Leader of the U.S House of Representatives
Stephen Joseph Scalise born October 6, 1965) age 60, is an American politician who has been the House majority leader since 2023 and the U.S. representative for Louisiana's 1st congressional district since 2008. A member of the Republican Party, he was the House majority whip from 2014 to 2019 and the House minority whip 2019 to 2023.
Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), and Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) to condemn President Biden’s withdrawal of weapon shipments to Israel, abandoning our ally in their fight to defend themselves against terrorists. With the Israel Security Assistance Support Act coming to the House floor today for a vote, Leader Scalise noted that every Member of Congress will have to make a choice whether to stand with Israel or Hamas. Leader Scalise also called out Senator Schumer for stating he won’t put the bill on the Senate floor, choosing to side with the radical pro-Hamas faction of his party instead of Israel.
Tom Emmer: age 64, Majority Whip of the United States House of Representatives
Thomas Earl Emmer Jr. (born March 3, 1961) is an American attorney, lobbyist, and politician who has served as majority whip in the United States House of Representatives since 2023. A member of the Republican Party, he has represented Minnesota's 6th congressional district since 2015. In 2019, Emmer sent a fundraising letter that critics alleged included antisemitic canards. The letter claimed that "left-wing radicals essentially BOUGHT control of Congress for the Democrats" and that three Jewish billionaires (Michael Bloomberg, Tom Steyer and George Soros) "bought" control of Congress for Democrats. ), I wouldn't put it past Soros. But the others??? I doubt it.
Whip Emmer: “Yesterday, President Trump hosted his first official White House visit with a foreign leader in his second term, and I can’t think of a more fitting guest than Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The message heard around the world from Washington was clear: Israel is our strongest ally in the Middle East, and our support for Israel will not waver – not now, not ever. Not only has President Trump promised to help bring the war in Israel to an end and the remaining hostages home, but he will also help secure peace for innocent civilians in Gaza. That is the kind of leadership our allies need and deserve after the Biden administration’s foreign policy failures over the last four years. The president’s meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu also comes on the heels of investigations launched by the Department of Education into five universities that enabled antisemitism to run rampant on their campuses after Hamas’ horrific attack against Israel on October 7. One of those colleges just happens to be the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus, which Squad Member Ilhan Omar visited earlier last year to champion the pro-terrorist, antisemitic protests happening across the country and to inspire more movements of hate. The far left’s continued embrace of vicious attacks against the Jewish community has shown their true colors. There’s no denying that today’s Democrat Party is the pro-terrorist, antisemitic party. And now that we finally have a real leader in the White House, accountability is here. We’ve said this before, and we’ll say it again: Antisemitism has no place in this country – not in our politics, not on our college campuses, not anywhere. Our House Republican majority, alongside President Trump and our Republican colleagues in the Senate, will fight every day to ensure that our ally, Israel, is supported, Jewish Americans remain protected, and antisemitism is eliminated once and for all. I want to thank President Trump for his leadership on this issue, and I know we here on Capitol Hill are also looking forward to [welcoming] Prime Minister Netanyahu tomorrow. The time to reassert American leadership on the world stage and stand with our allies is now.”
Lisa McClain: age 59, United States Representative, Lisa Carmella McClain (née Iovannisci; born April 7, 1966) is an American politician who has served as a U.S. representative from Michigan since 2021. She represented Michigan's 10th congressional district from 2021 to 2023 and has represented Michigan's 9th congressional district since 2023. A member of the Republican Party, McClain serves in congressional leadership as Chair of the House Republican Conference. February 18th: Israel has fought for their existence, fought to free the hostages, and fought against the darkest of evil. America will always stand with our ally, and we will continue to call for the safe return of all of the hostages. Day 500 and beyond.
Kevin Hern: age 64, House Republican Policy Committee Chairman, Kevin Ray Hern (born December 4, 1961) is an American politician and businessman from Oklahoma. A Republican, he is serving as a member of the United States House of Representatives for Oklahoma's 1st congressional district since 2018. In 2023 he had assets worth between $36 million and $110 million. TULSA, OK – Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) released the following statement following reports that Israel eliminated Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza. “Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind behind the October 7th attacks, has brought death and destruction to innocent Americans, Israelis, and Palestinians for years,” said Rep. Hern. “His elimination marks a significant blow against terror and a step toward justice. Once again, Israel has shown the world that they will defend their people and avenge the deaths of those killed by Hamas on October 7th. Israel has my full support as they continue the mission to destroy Hamas.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-09) released the following statement after voting to pass H.Res. 771, a bipartisan resolution standing with Israel.“I stand with Israel—today and every day,” said Rep. Hudson. “Israel has every right to defend itself against the barbaric attacks launched by Hamas, and I condemn Hamas’ brutal war against Israel.”Earlier this month, Rep. Hudson joined House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX), Ranking Member Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), and over 420 House colleagues to introduce this bipartisan resolutionTo read the full text of the resolution, click hereAs a champion of the U.S.–Israel relationship, Rep. Hudson has also cosponsored the following pieces of legislation in the 118th Congress:H.R. 3792 – the U.S.-Israel Partnership and Abraham Accords Enhancement Act of 2023.H.Res. 346 – Reaffirming the support of the United States to our strongest ally in the region, Israel, and recognizing the authoritarian and extremist regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran as a threat to Israel, the region, the United States, and global stability. H.Con.Res. 57 – Expressing the sense of Congress supporting the State of Israel.United States Representative
Guy Reschenthaler, age 42, United States Representative
Guy Lorin Reschenthaler born April 17, 1983) is an American politician, attorney, judge, and U.S. Navy veteran. A Republican, he is serving as the U.S. representative for Pennsylvania's 14th congressional district since 2019 and was previously a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, representing the 37th district.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chief Deputy Whip Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) and U.S. Representative Max Miller (R-OH) introduced H.R. 8445, which would extend the benefits of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) to American citizens serving in the Israel Defense Forces. “Over 20,000 American citizens are currently defending Israel from Hamas terrorists, risking their lives for the betterment of our ally,” said Reschenthaler. “This legislation will ensure we do everything possible to support these heroes who are standing with Israel, fighting for freedom, and combating terrorism in the Middle East.”“As our closest ally in the Middle East continues to defend itself against terror, many brave Americans have decided to lend a hand,” said Miller. “I’m proud that this legislation extends important protections to those Americans who chose to risk their lives in the fight against terror.”The SCRA provides members on active-duty status with financial management safeguards such as rental agreements, security deposits, evictions, installment contracts, credit card interest rates, mortgages, civil judicial proceedings, and income tax payments, among others. The USERRA prohibits employment discrimination based on an individual’s prior service in the uniformed services, current service in the uniformed services, or intent to join the uniformed services.
Resource:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Johnson
https://www.majorityleader.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2172
