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A resolution reaffirming the House’s support of Israel and condemning Hamas’ “barbaric” and “brutal” attack on the Jewish State immediately garnered overwhelming bipartisan support.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Rep. Michael T. McCaul, Texas Republican, introduced the measure that was co-sponsored by 390 lawmakers in the House, which is 43 lawmakers shy of unanimous support.
“Now is the time to show the world the United States firmly stands with our friend and ally Israel in our condemnation of this heinous attack by Iran-backed terrorists,” Mr. McCaul said.
Mr. McCaul’s office was still accepting co-sponsors for the resolution.
The bill is the first legislation produced by Congress since fighting broke out over the weekend that directly addresses that war in Israel.
The conflict began when the terrorist organization Hamas engaged in a complex multifront strike on the Jewish state, catching Israel off-guard in Saturday’s early hours.
Mr. McCaul’s bill also calls for every other nation to condemn Hamas’ attack on Israel, and requests that the terrorist group “immediately cease these violent attacks and safely release all living hostages and return the bodies of deceased hostages.”
So far, the fighting has left over 1,600 Israelis and Palestinians dead, with thousands wounded. At least 11 Americans were among the dead, according to U.S. officials. Hamas has also captured over 100 people.
Mr. McCaul’s resolution calls for enforcement of the Taylor Force Act, which would prevent U.S. Aid from being used by the Palestinian National Authority, also known as the State of Palestine, to fund their nation’s Martyrs’ Fund, which provides payments and stipends to families of terrorists.
It also condemns Iran and the nation’s support of Hamas and other terrorist groups and proxies, and it calls for sanctions against the country to be enforced.
The House cannot take up the resolution until Republicans elect a new speaker.
The House remains frozen without a speaker following former Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s historic ouster last week. That means that legislation of any kind cannot be brought to the floor until a new speaker is elected by lawmakers.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Louisiana Republican, and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, Ohio Republican, are vying for the speaker job.
“I expect this bipartisan resolution to be one of the first, if not the first items considered on the floor once we elect a new speaker,” Mr. McCaul said. “And I expect it to receive overwhelming bipartisan support.”
• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.
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