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Kustoff Speaks on House Floor Urging Vote on Anti-BDS Bill

July 25, 2019

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congressman David Kustoff (TN-08), spoke on the U.S. House floor to raise awareness on the importance of H.R. 336 and urge Speaker Pelosi to bring it to the floor for a full vote. H.R. 336, Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act of 2019, would take real policy action against the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. The Senate companion to H.R. 336 is S.1, which passed the Senate on a bipartisan basis in January by a vote of 77-23.

To view the full speech, click here or the photo below.

Full text of speech:

Thank you, Mister/Madam Speaker and thank you to my good friend from Oklahoma, Mr. Cole.

H.R. 336, the Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act, is the House companion to S.1. This bill was so important that the United States Senate made it their top legislative priority and passed it with overwhelming bipartisan support.

H.R. 336, a bill introduced by Ranking Member McCaul, combines four various policy initiatives that deal with the U.S.-Israel relationship.

This legislation authorizes assistance and weapons transfers to Israel, it extends defense cooperation with Jordan, and establishes additional sanctions on individuals supporting the Syrian government.

Most importantly, this bill allows states to divest from entities that are boycotting Israel.

Just this week, the House passed, with bipartisan support, a resolution opposing the anti-Israel, anti-Semitic Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement, also known as BDS.

That resolution was a great stepping stone, but we need to do more.

Now we must pass legislation with some teeth.

Israel is our greatest ally in the Middle East and is the only Jewish state. Since her birth 71 years ago, the U.S. Israel relationship has continued to grow stronger as we find new means for cooperation and ensure the safety of her and her people.

It is time for the Democrat Leadership to bring this crucial bill to the House floor for a vote.

It is vital for us to come together and show that our support for Israel is not solely Republican or Democrat.

We must come together as a unified body to stamp out anti-Semitism and hate towards the only Jewish state, Israel.