Senate Republicans and President Trump Are Standing Up for Israel’s Security

As Prime Minister Netanyahu Visits the Capitol, Only One Party is Focused on the True Threats in the Middle East

“I think my focus in this visit is in being a reliable, unwavering partner to and friend of Israel. We want to talk about getting all the hostages home and how we support Israel as it works to end once and for all the threats from Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, Iran and its malign shadow of terror in that region and how we can expand on what was a historic success of the Abraham Accords to try to create a safer and more prosperous future in that region.” – Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.)

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED IT WILL RESTART ITS MAXIMUM PRESSURE CAMPAIGN AGAINST IRAN

In a reversal from the Biden administration’s Iran policy, President Trump signed an executive order reimposing its “maximum economic pressure” campaign on Iran, “including sanctions and enforcement mechanisms on those violating existing sanctions. It also directs the Treasury and State Department to implement a campaign aimed at ‘driving Iran's oil exports to zero.’” (White House: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Restores Maximum Pressure on Iran – 2/4/25; Reuters: Trump reimposes 'maximum pressure' on Iran, aims to drive oil exports to zero – 2/4/25)

The executive order comes not a moment too soon: “New intelligence about Iran’s nuclear program has convinced American officials that a secret team of the country’s scientists is exploring a faster, if cruder, approach to developing an atomic weapon if Tehran’s leadership decides to race for a bomb…” (The New York Times: Iran Is Developing Plans for Faster, Cruder Weapon, U.S. Concludes – 2/3/25)

“In 2020, President Trump declared that ‘as long as [he is] President of the United States, Iran will never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon.’ Today’s [National Security Presidential Memorandum] fulfills the President’s 2020 vow to contend with Iran’s pernicious influence across the globe…” (White House: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Restores Maximum Pressure on Iran – 2/4/25)

It’s not just Iran: Building on last year’s halt in funding to UNRWA implemented by Congress, the Trump administration announced an indefinite continuation of the funding freeze. (Reuters: Trump to target UN rights body and Palestinian relief agency – 2/4/25)

The halt was necessitated by revelations that numerous UNRWA employees were actively involved with terrorist groups in Gaza, some of which participated in the October 7, 2023, attacks. (The Jerusalem Post: Israel cut all ties with UNRWA: ‘This was just the beginning’ - MK Dan Illouz – 1/30/25)

THIS ORDER MARKS A MAJOR DEPARTURE FROM FOUR YEARS OF APPEASEMENT AND NAIVETE TOWARDS IRAN BY THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION

“It’s worth recalling how hard Mr. Biden has tried to accommodate the mullahs in Tehran. Upon taking office, his Administration ended Donald Trump’s ‘maximum pressure’ campaign. It relaxed enforcement of sanctions on Iran’s oil sales, which has been worth tens of billions.” (The Wall Street Journal: Editorial: Biden Faces an Iran Reckoning – 10/11/23)

After Iran launched a missile and drone attack against Israel last year, President Biden told Prime Minister Netanyahu that the U.S. would not support any Israeli counterattack, simply telling him to “[t]ake the win.” (Axios: Scoop: Biden told Bibi U.S. won't support an Israeli counterattack on Iran – 4/14/24)

On the Biden administration’s watch, Iran and its proxies caused catastrophic harm across the Middle East:

Hamas, which is backed by Iran, launched the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust on October 7, 2023. (The Wall Street Journal: Israel at War With Hamas – 10/11/23; Congressional Research Service: Iran-Supported Groups in the Middle East and U.S. Policy – 9/26/24)

Between October 2023 and January 2024, Iran-backed terrorists launched over 170 attacks against U.S. bases and positions, with one drone attack killing three U.S. servicemembers and wounding dozens more in Jordan. (Institute for the Study of War: Iran Update, January 28, 2024 – 1/28/24)

Iran-backed Hezbollah opened a second front against Israel, launching thousands of rockets in the wake of October 7. (The Jerusalem Post: It remains to be seen if war on Hezbollah is gamechanger – analysis – 2/3/25)

Using Iranian-made missiles, the Houthis launched over 100 attacks against U.S. Navy ships, merchant ships, and on Israel itself. (CBS News: U.S. strikes Houthi targets in Yemen after American warships attacked, CENTCOM says – 12/31/24; Reuters: Houthi attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea – 1/16/25; The Associated Press: Israel struggles to deter escalating attacks from Yemen’s Houthi rebels as other fronts calm – 1/3/25; Congressional Research Service: Iran-Supported Groups in the Middle East and U.S. Policy – 9/26/24)

MEANWHILE, CHUCK SCHUMER BRAGS ABOUT PREVENTING CONGRESS FROM STANDING UP FOR AMERICAN AND ISRAELI SOVEREIGNTY

“We’re not going to go after every single issue… We are picking the most important fights and lying down on the train tracks on those fights.” – Democrat Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)

“Schumer was especially happy that Democrats banded together to filibuster a GOP-drafted Israel bill earlier this week after negotiations to tweak the measure collapsed.” (Punchbowl News: Johnson, Thune, Schumer and Jeffries: The Leader Look – 1/31/25)

“Schumer was getting grief a week ago from some rank-and-file Democrats over his hands-off approach on an immigration bill that split the party.” (Punchbowl News: Johnson, Thune, Schumer and Jeffries: The Leader Look – 1/31/25)

“The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a rogue operation that equates Israel with Hamas and has threatened to charge Americans with war crimes for fighting terrorists. Senate Democrats nonetheless voted Tuesday to protect the court by blocking a bipartisan sanctions bill that has already passed the House.” (The Wall Street Journal: Editorial: Schumer Protects the International Criminal Court – 1/30/25)

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