Schumer poised to join Johnson invite for Netanyahu address to Congress
Source: The Hill
05/02/24 5:54 PM ET
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is poised to join Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) in inviting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to deliver an address to Congress, despite tensions between the Israeli leader and many Democrats over the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Johnson told The Hill this week that he sent Schumer a draft invitation around a month ago, but the Senate leader has been sitting on it since. I sent a letter draft, because its a bicameral invitation letter, its been sitting on Chuck Schumers desk. As far as I know he has not cosigned it yet, Johnson said, adding that it was sent probably a month ago..
But now, Schumer is ready to sign on, according to his office. He intends to join the invitation, the timing is being worked out, the Senate leaders spokesperson told The Hill. The Hill was first to report on Johnsons draft invitation and Schumers plan to sign it.
Netanyahus visit if it does materialize is sure to spark outrage among liberals, who have strongly criticized the prime ministers handling of the Israel-Hamas war and the growing number of civilian deaths in the Gaza Strip.
Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/4640068-schumer-johnson-netanyahu-invite/
SalamanderSleeps
(600 posts)Bebe fix your own house before you even think about lecturing ours.
WTF is Schumer thinking?
jimfields33
(16,210 posts)Maybe this is a prudent move that we dont know why yet.
Omnipresent
(5,744 posts)Bebe probably wants to reassure Congress, that Israel needs more money and weapons to stabilize the Middle East.
Good luck with that pitch, Bebe!
SKKY
(11,842 posts)...I fail to see how this helps.
Bucky
(54,110 posts)This invitation can only serve to fan the flames. There will be massive protests outside of Congress for giving this irresponsible hatemonger and possible war criminal a platform of honor.
Why should America be bolstering him right now? I think this is Schumer covering his ass with pro-Israeli voters back home after criticizing Netanyahu last month. As Tip said: all politics is local.
LuvLoogie
(7,087 posts)to the whims of the fascist Knesset.
Jailing our youth who are protesting Netanyahu's ethnic cleansing, firing rubber bullets at them and cutting off the one media platform the powers that be don't control.
lark
(23,218 posts)Netanyahu will just savage the Dems and Biden, he is a murdering genocidal grifter and does not deserve the respect of speaking to Congress - and Schumer knows this but is pandering.
machoneman
(4,019 posts)BeyondGeography
(39,400 posts)So has Pelosi for that matter. Now hes inviting him to speak to Congress? How does this not make him, and by extension the Democratic Party, look like fools?
Lonestarblue
(10,202 posts)Bayard
(22,262 posts)But this will bring protests that will make the latest protests look like a kid's birthday party.
LeftInTX
(25,852 posts)maxsolomon
(33,475 posts)The House is going to invite no matter what.
NOT extending a Senate invite has consequences, too.