Rep. Zeldin Speaks at House GOP Leadership Presser to Applaud Passage of Reso Opposing BDS and Call for Passage of S1/HR336 to Do Something About It

Statement

At this morning's House GOP leadership press conference, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1) made the following remarks applauding last night's House Passage of H. Res. 246, a powerful statement opposing efforts to delegitimize the state of Israel and the Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) Movement targeting Israel. Rep. Zeldin also urged House Democratic Leadership to now bring S.1/H.R. 336 to the House floor, legislation with teeth, to combat the BDS movement.

"Yesterday was an important vote in the House of Representatives. It sent a powerful statement against BDS.

"This movement is one that is filled with anti-Israel hate. It seeks to delegitimize the state of Israel, and, in the name of BDS, we hear too many stories of college students from coast to coast on campuses all across America being targeted with blatant anti-Semitism in the name of BDS.

"The founder of BDS was someone who was blatantly anti-Semitic with all the quotes to back that up.

"I was proud to join with my Republican colleagues and many colleagues on the opposite side of the aisle - 350 co-sponsors in total -- to pass House Resolution 246. There was a very strong showing with regards to the vote, and we wake up the next day, as we should, asking ourselves: "What are we going to do about it?'.

"It's one thing for the House to make a strong statement, but we need to ask ourselves as Members of Congress and for those who are motivated to help with this issue who aren't in Congress: "What are we going to do about it?'.

"The Senate passed S. 1. It has companion legislation in the House; H.R. 336 introduced by Congressman Mike McCaul. There's a discharge petition that has almost 200 signatures on it, and if it has a vote in the House of Representatives, it's going to pass overwhelmingly. We're calling on the speaker to bring this bill to the floor for a vote.

"I'm motivated to want to do something about it. Stand up to the anti-Israel hate. Stand up to those who are seeking to delegitimize the state of Israel, and for those promoting anti-Semitism.

"We've seen it infiltrating American politics, college campuses, and even the halls of Congress. We need to actually pass a bill with teeth that empowers state and local governments to have tools that allow them to help combat the BDS movement.

"State and local governments have been asking for it. 27 states have already taken action in certain ways to help fight back against the BDS movement. We need to do more as Congressmen to our part, and I call on all my colleagues to continue that fight as we wake up this morning.

"Yes, we made a great statement. That should be celebrated, but we need to do something about it - passing legislation with teeth."

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