The State of Israel has always been both a strategic partner and ally to the United States – that relationship should never be forsaken. On Wednesday of this week, Isaac Herzog, the President of the State of Israel, addressed a joint session of Congress to commemorate that 75^th anniversary of Israel’s statehood and to reaffirm our longstanding relationship. Unfortunately, just days before President Herzog’s address, vile anti-Israel comments – in which Israel was referred to as a “racist state” – were made by the Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. It’s deeply concerning to me that this kind of inflammatory rhetoric has become commonplace among Washington Democrats – the cause of supporting and maintaining our nation’s relationship with Israel should always be bipartisan. 

House Republicans are proud to stand with the State of Israel, and our track record reflects this fact with profound clarity. In February of this year, in unified support for our ally, Speaker McCarthy, Majority Leader Scalise, and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman McCaul sent a letter to President Biden requesting that his administration oppose and veto any anti-Israel resolution that’s put before the U.N. Security Council. In April, House Republicans supported the expansion of the Abraham Accords. And in both May and June, we voted to condemn the rise of antisemitism as well as to establish a Special Envoy for the Abraham Accords at the Department of State.

This week, House Republicans took another decisive step to stand with Israel – and to put those who oppose our longstanding partnership on record. On Wednesday, the House passed H.Con.Res. 57, a resolution authored by Representative August Pfluger that expresses the sense of Congress supporting the State of Israel. As Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul said during the debate of this resolution on the House floor, “Democracy and its shared values are at the very core of the relationship between the U.S. and Israel…we stand shoulder to shoulder as we defend our freedom from threats like Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, and other forms of terrorism”. I was proud to vote in favor of H.Con.Res. 57 and to affirm alongside my colleagues yet again that Israel will always have our support through the tests of time, trials, and tribulations.

Financial Accountability

Recently, the Oversight and Accountability Committee held a hearing that examined financial accountability in the Department of Defense (DoD). When I read about what’s happening at DoD, and the millions of your taxpayer dollars that are being outright wasted, my blood boils. What’s particularly striking to me – and I can imagine to millions of Americans – is that DoD cannot produce a clean audit. What do you believe this says about DoD’s ability to be a good steward of taxpayer dollars?

To watch my questioning from this hearing, click here.

New Scam Alert

The Caldwell County Government recently released information about the rise in home improvement scams across North Carolina. In fact, last year, home improvement scams were part of the top ten consumer complaints according to the North Carolina Attorney General’s office. Typically, these scams involve bad actors approaching homeowners and making the claim that certain parts of their homes are in dire need of repair – and they subsequently offer an appealing price to complete the alleged repairs.

For helpful tips on how to avoid these scams, and for resources on how to find reputable home repair companies in your area, click here.

Quote of The Week

“To us, it is clear that America is irreplaceable to Israel, and Israel is irreplaceable to America.”

-President Isaac Herzog

Have a blessed weekend,