Capitol Hill's Netanyahu speech no-shows

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Jul 23, 2024 View in browser   By Anthony Adragna Presented by  With assists from POLITICO’s Congress team The U.S. Capitol is seen behind a security fence a day before of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visit to Capitol Hill, Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in Washington. ( AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) | AP RSVP-ING NO TO NETANYAHU Dozens of rank-and-file Democratic lawmakers plan to steer clear of Benjamin Netanyahu’s long-awaited address to Congress on Wednesday, wary of giving the Israeli prime minister a platform amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza that’s killed tens of thousands of Palestinians. So far, at least 18 House Democrats and nine Senate Democrats have said publicly they’ll miss Netanyahu’s first address to Congress in nearly a decade, according to a POLITICO tally, including Senate President Pro Tempore Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and other party leaders like Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.). (For comparison’s sake: 58 lawmakers skipped Netanyahu’s 2015 speech — and Democratic aides expect a similar tally of at least that many this go around.) Some said they are missing due to disagreement with the prime minister’s policies, while others cited scheduling conflicts. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), for example, cited “a previously scheduled commitment” in Virginia as the reason he won’t make the speech. (Kaine didn’t attend the 2015 address to Congress, either.) Many progressives are voicing anger that Netanyahu was invited at all. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has said he won’t attend, adding that the invitation shouldn't have been extended in the first place. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said simply, “He’s a war criminal,” a sentiment echoed by Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) (the only Palestinian American in Congress, who also hasn’t publicly indicated whether she’ll attend). Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) an outspoken critic of the Israeli government, said she wasn’t planning on protesting instead of attending the speech. Rather, she planned on giving her ticket to family members of hostages held by Hamas who were going to be in Washington. "I think that his focus should be completely on the work that's got to be done in Israel and Gaza,” said Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), another progressive who is skipping. But it’s not just the left-wing of the caucus. Centrist Rep. Ami Bera (D-Calif.), who is close to party leadership, said he wasn’t planning on attending the address, adding: “Prime Minister Netanyahu must no longer stand in the way of a ceasefire and an agreement for Hamas to return the hostages.” Some rank-and-file members say they’ll go, however, even if they don’t expect many points of agreement with the prime minister’s remarks. “My constituents elected me to sit in that chair,” Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Mich.) said. “If I only sat there on days that were really fun that I enjoyed, I wouldn't be sitting there very often.” (Of note: Kildee’s office was swarmed by anti-Israel protesters Tuesday afternoon.) Overall, when it comes to getting lawmakers to attend the event, House Democratic leaders aren’t putting their thumb on the scale. “Members are going to make their own decisions,” House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) said. “We've just been encouraging our members to exercise safety and to let them know about the security posture that we're going to face tomorrow and giving them the guidance that the sergeant at arms has sent out.” Then there is presidential politics. Vice President Kamala Harris won’t be attending, as she has pre-scheduled campaign travel in Indianapolis on Wednesday. But her plans, according to a Harris aide, “should not be interpreted as a change in her position with regard to Israel.” Instead of the address, Harris will hold a one-on-one meeting with Netanyahu at the White House this week. (As for JD Vance missing the Netanyahu speech, more on that below.) Those that do make it into the House chamber should expect tough security and a zero-tolerance policy for disruptions — from lawmakers or their guests — according to Speaker Mike Johnson. Additional security resources will be present to enforce decorum. — Anthony Adragna, with assists from Daniella Diaz, Ursula Perano, Katherine Tully-McManus, Nicholas Wu, Sarah Ferris and Mia McCarthy GOOD EVENING! Welcome to Inside Congress, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Tuesday, July 23, where we hope you have your travel plans ready for Wednesday; it will be busy on Capitol Hill with Netanyahu’s visit.   A message from the Small Business Payments Alliance: Credit cards are a lifeline for small and medium-sized businesses. A recent report from the Small Business Payments Alliance shows credit cards consistently rank as SMBs’ top source of funding – above other resources such as lines of credit, BNPL, or loans. Small businesses receive 220% more on average from credit card transactions, when compared to cash. Credit card transactions guarantee payment, and avoid the costs and risks associated with cash.   SPEAKING OF ABSENCES ... Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), the GOP nominee for vice president, won’t be attending Netanyahu’s speech either, due to a campaign event. “Senator Vance stands steadfastly with the people of Israel in their fight to defend their homeland, eradicate terrorist threats, and bring back their countrymen held hostage,” Jason Miller, senior adviser to the Trump campaign, said. “He will not however be in attendance for Prime Minister Netanyahu’s speech to Congress as he has duties to fulfill as the Republican nominee for Vice President.” Despite Harris’ vow to meet with Netanyahu, however, Vance’s fellow Republicans have blasted her move not to preside over the speech. “It is sad that @VP Harris won't support our closest ally in the Middle East & join this address to Congress,” wrote Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who’s seeking to lead Senate Republicans next year. “And she wants to be the leader of the free world?” Speaker Mike Johnson echoed that perspective. “It is outrageous to me and inexcusable … that Kamala Harris is boycotting this joint session,” he said at a press conference. “She is supposed to be seated next to me at the rostrum. … She needs to be asked very searing questions about why.” Former President Donald Trump will get his own face time with the Israeli prime minister on Friday morning, saying in a statement that he is “looking forward to welcoming Bibi Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.” — Anthony Adragna, with an assist from Ursula Perano   A message from the Small Business Payments Alliance:   GOP FUNDING DRAMA House Republicans are preparing to leave town until September as soon as Wednesday night — a sign their government funding efforts are not going to plan. Three Republican members told POLITICO that they expect the House will leave town on Wednesday night. GOP leadership is also telling Republicans they won’t have votes on Thursday, a person familiar with the guidance said. The push to leave Washington comes as Republicans have reached a point they’ve long acknowledged was coming: After passing four government funding bills, it is unclear which of the other measures they can get across the finish line. Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) and other members of the whip team have been privately making the case — including during a Monday leadership meeting — that they shouldn’t make GOP frontliners vote on a host of politically controversial amendments for bills that will never pass, two people familiar with the discussions said. Republicans will try to pass another funding bill — Energy & Water — on Tuesday night, but GOP lawmakers and aides acknowledge it could fail. They are also trying to pass an Interior funding measure this week, a measure with similarly unclear prospects. Beyond that, there are at least other six funding bills that currently have murky futures: Legislative Branch funding, which failed earlier this month.  Agriculture and Financial Services funding bills, which were pulled from the floor this week.  Three other bills that were teed up for next week — Commerce, Justice and Science, Transportation and Housing and Urban Development and Labor-Health and Human Services — appear to be getting scrapped altogether.   — Jordain Carney with an assist from Sarah Ferris, Olivia Beavers, Caitlin Emma and Jennifer Scholtes   Live briefings, policy trackers, and procedural, industry, and people intelligence from POLITICO Pro Analysis gives you the insights you need to focus your policy strategy this election cycle. Secure your seat.      HUDDLE HOTDISH A little bit of happiness from a former president. Mike Waltz is not interested in being Kamala Harris’ vice president. Blessed be these K-9 trainees in the Cannon tunnel. Hill security is looking tight for Netanyahu’s address on Wednesday. Pour one out for the members who now have to learn about “brat.” Don’t get duped like Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) seems to have been with a fake post about Jimmy Carter. QUICK LINKS  Virginia lawmaker withdraws earmark for gas pipeline, from Timothy Cama at E&E News Sen. Bob Menendez expected to resign next month following corruption conviction, from Daniel Han and Ry Rivard A bigger, bolder Congress? Panel debates how to respond to end of Chevron deference, from Jim Saksa in Roll Call Former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner 'seriously considering' running for Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee's vacant seat, from Len Cannon and Victor Jacobo in KHOU Congress Calls for Tech Outage Hearing to Grill CrowdStrike C.E.O., from David McCabe in The New York Times TRANSITIONS  Yael Sheinfeld is now press secretary for Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). She previously was comms director for Accountable.US’ democracy team, and is a Lori Trahan and Jake Auchincloss alum. Kyle Robertson is joining BrabenderCox as senior director of client services. He most recently was chief of staff to Rep. Greg Pence (R-Ind.). TOMORROW IN CONGRESS The House and Senate are in session. WEDNESDAY AROUND THE HILL 10 a.m. House Judiciary Committee hearing on FBI oversight. Director Christopher Wray testifies. 2141 Rayburn. 10 a.m. House Natural Resources Federal Lands Subcommittee legislative hearing on six national parks-related bills. 1324 Longworth. 10 a.m. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee business meeting to consider 35 bills — including S. 1171, the Ending Trading and Holdings In Congressional Stocks (ETHICS) Act — 18 postal naming bills and nine Postal Regulatory Commission and D.C. judgeship nominations. 342 Dirksen. 11:45 a.m. Republican senators hold a press conference ahead of Netanyahu’s remarks to Congress. S-325. 2 p.m. Netanyahu addresses a joint meeting of Congress. House chamber.   SUBSCRIBE TO GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Don’t miss out on POLITICO’s Global Playbook, our newsletter taking you inside pivotal discussions at the most influential gatherings in the world. Suzanne Lynch delivers the world's elite and influential moments directly to you. Stay in the global loop. SUBSCRIBE NOW.     TRIVIA MONDAY’S ANSWER: Jack Howard was the first to correctly guess that Bill Bradley (D-N.J.) was another future senator participating in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics who actually brought home a gold medal. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell was on the Judo team in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. TODAY’S QUESTION from Jack: Which future president was injured in a football game while tackling an Olympic athlete? And who was the Olympian? The first person to correctly guess gets a mention in the next edition of Inside Congress. Send your answers to insidecongress@politico.com. GET INSIDE CONGRESS emailed to your phone each evening.   A message from the Small Business Payments Alliance: Cash payments cost small businesses, while credit cards are a top funding source. The average cost of cash acceptance at bars and restaurants now exceeds 15 percent, and we’ve seen cash costs significantly outpace the costs of accepting card payments. Our current payment systems work – credit card and electronic payment options offer savings for small businesses while increasing the amount spent per customer. At the same time, card payments are convenient and safe option for customers.     Follow us

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