Special Envoy for the Abraham Accords Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. LAWLER. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to speak in strong support of the passage of my bill, H.R. 3099, the Special Envoy for the Abraham Accords Act.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman McCaul, Ranking Member Meeks, and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Torres) for working together in a bipartisan way to advance this legislation.

I have been overwhelmed by the amount of support and positive feedback that this crucial piece of legislation has received, and for good reason.

H.R. 3099 creates the position of the special envoy for the Abraham Accords in the U.S. Department of State. This new position would hold ambassador rank and be Senate confirmed. The special envoy would be responsible for coordinating efforts across the United States Government to expand and strengthen the Abraham Accords with key allies and strategic partners across the Middle East and across the globe. Having a point person at the State Department is key to ensuring the accords maintain a priority in this administration and all future administrations.

While this bill seeks to hold the Biden administration accountable to ensure they are advancing the Abraham Accords, it does so with strong support from both sides of the aisle, making clear that the United States Government prioritizes our relationship with Israel and the advancement of peace and prosperity, regardless of any other policy differences we may have.

For 75 years, Israel has been and remains our staunchest ally and a pivotal partner in the Middle East. A beacon of freedom, democracy, and prosperity, they are an example that the rest of the region can look to for building a successful and vibrant society.

The Abraham Accords, a series of normalization agreements between Israel and other Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East, were a monumental step that has provided a roadmap for the future of diplomacy in the Middle East and beyond.

They also showcased that the real center of instability in the region is Iran. Many countries were finally ready to work together with the United States and Israel to counter Iran's state-sponsored terrorism, pursuit of nuclear weapons, and consistent violation of the human rights of the Iranian people.

Mutual opposition to the Islamic republic has fueled the Abraham Accords and signified a seismic shift in the geopolitical landscape. They are a testament to the transformative power of diplomacy and strong economic ties to bring about peace.

At its origins in September 2020, the Abraham Accords included the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Morocco joined the following December after normalizing ties with Israel.

While Israeli officials are taking meaningful steps to bring other countries into the Abraham Accords, none have joined since 2020 or the beginning of 2021.

It is critical, now more than ever, that we build upon this unprecedented progress, and the establishment of a special envoy is a definitive step in that direction.

Having a special envoy entirely dedicated to the Abraham Accords would underscore the United States' commitment to nurturing the growth of these historic agreements, and it sends a clear message to our allies and, indeed, to the entire world about the immense value we place on normalized relations with Israel and increased cooperation and stability in the Middle East.

This special envoy would also be critical for bringing Saudi Arabia into the Abraham Accords. Both countries have taken incremental steps to improve relations since Saudi Arabia's Gulf neighbors, the UAE and Bahrain, first normalized relations.

Israeli airlines can now use Saudi Arabia's airspace, and the kingdom recently agreed to respect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Tiran for Israeli ships.

As a leader in the Arab world, Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords would make serious inroads for Israel's relationships not only in the Middle East but across the globe. Additionally, strengthening ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia would create immense pushback against Iran.

Moreover, this legislation calls for a comprehensive report to Congress detailing our Nation's efforts to expand the Abraham Accords. It requests specific information on diplomatic engagements and the status of normalization efforts with various other countries. This report, in effect, ensures a system of checks and balances, holding the special envoy, the Biden administration, and all future administrations accountable for prioritizing the strengthening of these accords.

Passing this bill would be a profound affirmation of our steadfast commitment to fostering peace, productive bilateral relationships in the Middle East and, we hope, well beyond. It embodies our vision of a world where peace in the region is not just a distant dream but a tangible reality within our reach.

Today, I stand before you, urging all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in championing this critical piece of legislation. Together, let's take this significant stride toward peace, prosperity, and a better future for all.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation shows that when Congress wants to work together, we can. We can advance legislation that not only makes a difference in the United States but makes a difference around the world.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Ritchie Torres, for making that possible.

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