Directing the Removal of United States Armed Forces From Hostilities in the Republic of Yemen That Have Not Been Authorized By Congress

Floor Speech

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Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, let me first say that the Yemen resolution before us here today is pro-Iran and anti-Israel.

I rise today to offer a motion stating that it is in the national security interest of the United States to oppose the global movement to boycott the State of Israel. This motion will not kill the joint resolution or send it back to the committee. If adopted, the resolution will immediately proceed to final passage.

As we heard from the powerful speech of the Secretary of NATO yesterday, it is in our national interest to work with our allies to counter our shared threats and promote our shared values.

Since its founding in 1948, the United States has stood shoulder to shoulder with Israel against enemies that want to destroy it.

Let's be clear about the BDS movement: It is yet another enemy of Israel. It wants to exclude, isolate, and, ultimately, destroy Israel.

The founder of the BDS movement has stated: ``We oppose a Jewish state in any part of Palestine. No Palestinian . . . will ever accept a Jewish state in Palestine.''

The BDS movement is not about equality. It is not about peace. It is about undermining negotiation between Israel and the Palestinians, and it is about placing all of the blame on one party, and that is Israel.

We do not support a movement that demands concessions from one party alone. We do not stand with a movement that seeks to isolate and shame our strongest ally in the Middle East.

By weakening Israel, the global BDS movement endangers American security. When foreign entities like the U.N. foster boycotts against Israel, they are interfering with the United States' foreign policy.

The Senate passed a bill, S. 1, in its wisdom, 2 months ago with overwhelming bipartisan support to tackle BDS, better support Israel and Jordan, and sanction Assad's brutal regime. Sadly, the House Democratic leadership won't let that bill or a House version of that bill to this floor for a vote.

Mr. Speaker, I want to close with this: As the son of a World War II veteran, a B-17 bombardier who bombed the Nazis and was part of the D- day air campaign, it saddens me that we are still struggling here today with the same issues that the Greatest Generation defeated.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this motion, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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