McCollum Statement on H.Con.Res.57
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, released the following statement today after voting present on H.Con.Res. 57:
“I condemn antisemitism and hate in all its forms, and my record is clear. Last Congress, I voted for H.Res.1125 affirming this stance, and I have always and will always speak out against hate.
“I also support the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians to live in safety. As Chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee in the 117th Congress, I fully funded the Iron Dome and U.S.-Israeli cooperative missile defense programs that help ensure Israel’s security.
“As a long-time supporter of a two-state solution, I am deeply troubled by the record of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and actions of the Israeli government that run counter to this stated goal. For example, the Israeli government’s decision in 2018 to enact their Nation-State law, which restricts the rights of Palestinians. Or the lack of accountability for how Israel uses the $3.8 billion in annual security assistance provided by the United States. These concerns are central to why I introduced H.R. 3103 to prevent U.S. taxpayer dollars from being used to support the military detention of Palestinian children, demolish Palestinian homes, or annex Palestinian lands.
“I am proud to serve in the United States House of Representatives, in the greatest democracy in the world. A cornerstone of a strong democracy is the ability to openly criticize our government when we feel it is doing something against our values. As a Member of Congress, I have often criticized the policies of my own government. That does not make me anti-American. And criticizing the policies of the Israeli government does not make one antisemitic.
“H.Con.Res.57 does nothing to advance the goal of a peaceful solution to end the conflict. Striving for an Israeli state and a Palestinian state living side-by-side in peace and security is worth the effort of every Member of Congress. But that means Congress will need to support the rights, needs, and aspirations of both Palestinians and Israelis.
“Attempting to silence conversations about Palestinian human rights and intimidate people who wish to have open and honest conversations about the mistreatment of the Palestinian people will only prolong this problem. I will not be silenced. I will keep speaking up against antisemitism, oppression, and hate in all forms.
“I vote ‘present’ on this resolution, because Americans, Israelis, and Palestinians deserve genuine steps forward on the goal of peace, not more division and political gamesmanship. I do this because every Palestinian child and Israeli child deserves to go to sleep at night dreaming of a brighter future, not one of violence.
###