Delegation responds to Netanyahu speech
WASHINGTON - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to a joint meeting of Congress got the expected partisan response from lawmakers. Here's what some members of the the Minnesota delegation had to say about it.
Republicans liked the speech:
2nd District U.S. Rep. John Kline (R) - “We’ve seen again and again the real dangers posed to our nation by terrorist groups abroad – including recent threats which are too close to home for Minnesotans – and throughout these challenges we’ve had a stalwart ally in Israel. The spread of ISIS and the threat of a nuclear Iran require a thoughtful and robust strategy that includes our allies, and I appreciated hearing from Prime Minister Netanyahu on our shared concerns. I remain committed to our unwavering partnership, and share the Prime Minister’s aim that together ‘we face the future with confidence, strength, and hope.’”
3rd District U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen (R) - “The Prime Minister’s powerful speech before Congress gave moral clarity to the threats that a nuclear Iran presents to Israel, the Middle East, and the United States. Since negotiations began, Iran has gone out of its way to push boundaries and avoid transparency at all costs. We can’t allow Iran the capability to develop nuclear weapons. We must stand with Israel to ensure the security of its people.”
6th District U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer (R) - “In a world of turmoil and so few true leaders, it was an honor to hear Prime Minister Netanyahu speak with conviction about what’s happening to his region and its impact on global stability. With the Iranian nuclear deal approaching, this is not some faraway issue for the Israelis—it’s a matter of life and death. Israel has every right to defend herself, and I applaud the Prime Minister’s decision to come before Congress to reiterate this point. His speech was a sobering reminder why the United States must stand with Israel.”
U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, who with fellow Democrats Rep. Keith Ellison and Sen. Al Franken declined to attend the speech, was a harsh critic:
"Today from the floor of the United States House of Representatives the world heard the Israeli prime minister reject diplomacy and flagrantly undermine U.S. diplomatic efforts to the cheers of Congress. It was more campaign rally than serious policy speech which was the prime minister's goal to begin with. The P5+1 negotiations with Iran are critical to the national security of the United States and I fully support the Obama administration's diplomatic efforts to deny Iran the ability to acquire a nuclear weapon."
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