Welcoming Prime Minister Netanyahu

Floor Speech

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Mr. HOEVEN. Mr. President, I am here this morning to engage in a
colloquy with the good Senator from South Carolina. We will be joined
by the Senators from New Hampshire and Kentucky and perhaps the Senator
from Arizona.

The purpose of the colloquy is to welcome Prime Minister Netanyahu
this morning--who will be speaking in front of Congress--and to talk
about why it is so important he is joining us today.

In a few moments we will hear remarks from Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu in the House Chamber and welcome him to Congress to affirm the friendship between the people of the United States and the
people of Israel and to assess the threats facing our two democracies.

Actually, today's speech is not unusual. This is the 115th time that
a foreign leader has addressed a joint session of Congress. This is the
seventh time an Israeli Prime Minister will address a joint session of
Congress. It is Prime Minister Netanyahu's third address to Congress.

It is not surprising we are hearing from the leader of our ally,
Israel. Israel is a democracy in a neighborhood of authoritarian
governments. Prime Minister Netanyahu speaks the language of freedom
with us today. There can be no doubt of his passion on behalf of the
people he represents and that makes us take his message very seriously.

So this joint session is not unusual nor surprising, but that does
not mean that it is unimportant. In fact, today's speech is profoundly
important. The partnership between the United States and Israel is
critical for the security of the Middle East and the world. We need a
strong U.S.-Israeli partnership to stop Iran from developing a nuclear
weapon. We need a strong U.S.-Israeli partnership to stand against the
extremism that is ripping apart nations across the Middle East. We need
a strong U.S.-Israeli partnership to demonstrate the value of
democracy, human rights, and the rule of law for societies that are no
longer satisfied with dictatorships.

For all of these reasons it is good to have Prime Minister Netanyahu
here today. It is good to reaffirm the bond between Israelis and
Americans, and it is good to join hands again with an ally to stand
against tyranny and extremism. I look forward to hearing from the Prime
Minister because views directly from Israel are extremely important.

Since its birth in 1948, Israel has faced one security threat after
another. Israel's strength and vitality in the face of these threats
are a testament to the ability of its people and its leaders to head
off threats to security before they become impossible to overcome.
There is no substitute for the Israeli view of security in the Middle
East and the Iranian threat in particular.

So today represents an important moment to learn how Israel sees its
own security and understand the next steps for the U.S.-Israeli
partnership.

I now turn to my colleague from South Carolina and ask for his
comments about this important speech from the Prime Minister of Israel
today.

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Mr. HOEVEN. Mr. President, I wish to thank our colleague from New
Hampshire and I would like to return to the Senator from South Carolina
and pose a question.

I have been a supporter of the strong sanctions the Senator put in
place with the Kirk-Menendez legislation the Senator from South
Carolina was very involved with. During these negotiations those
sanctions have been relaxed by the administration, which I think is of
great concern. I think the biggest deterrent to Iran pursuing a nuclear
weapon is the sanctions we put in place with our allies.

So now as the administration negotiates this agreement, my colleague
from South Carolina and others on a bipartisan basis have put forward
legislation requiring that that agreement would come to this body for
an up-or-down vote. I would like him to describe that effort and why it
is so important and why the speech today with the Prime Minister goes
to the heart of that very important matter.

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Mr. HOEVEN. I wish to thank my colleagues from South Carolina and New
Hampshire. This is a bipartisan effort to join with the administration,
and on a matter of this importance I believe Congress must be involved.
So, again, we appeal to our colleagues on the other side of the aisle
to join with us on this effort.

I will conclude by saying we look forward very much to having the
Prime Minister speak to us this morning.

Thank you, Mr. President.

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