WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor about the path forward for peace and prosperity in the Middle East.
Senator Barrasso’s remarks come after he met earlier today with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks.
Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared:
“I just met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel.
“Our meeting comes on the heels of incredibly good news for everyone.
“Hostages are coming home.
“Earlier this week, Keith Siegel – an American hostage – was released.
“Keith is a 65-year-old American citizen. He currently lives in Israel. He is a father and a grandfather.
“On October 7, 2023, he was abducted by Hamas and taken to their underground tunnels. His wife was also taken hostage.
“He was held prisoner by terrorists for 484 days. The conditions were hellish.
“Keith is finally free – reunited with his family and recovering in a hospital.
“I look forward to more of these moments. They are the result of bold actions by President Donald Trump.
“As Prime Minister Netanyahu said this week, President Trump is the ‘greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House.’
“We celebrate this good news. We are also keeping an eye on alarming news. That news is the rise of anti-Semitism around the world.
“A prime example is the International Criminal Court. This is a kangaroo court.
“Last year, it issued arrest warrants for Israeli officials. One of those officials is Prime Minister Netanyahu.
“The charges are bogus.
“The Senate had an opportunity last week to fight back. Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas introduced a bipartisan bill to impose severe sanctions on the ICC.
“The House of Representatives passed that same bill last month. The vote was bipartisan.
“Passing this bill in the Senate would have sent a strong message that America stands with Israel. That we won’t let our ally stand alone.
“Democrats in the Senate filibustered it.
“45 Democrat Senators voted to abandon our closest ally.
“Two Democrat Senators voted for this same bill last year in the House.
“Yet when given the opportunity last week to support Israel in the Senate, they voted no.
“Democrats’ filibuster is the reason why the ICC is not facing crippling sanctions.
“This very topic came up in our discussion with the Prime Minister of Israel.
“We did point out the fact that the ICC is a kangaroo court, who refuses to point out the difference between right and wrong.
“The vote of the Democrats to block this bill in the United States Senate was an affront to the people of Israel.
“The Prime Minister specifically asked the Democrats to get this passed, to support this legislation.
“It has united support by the Republicans and bipartisan support in the House.
“It was held up in this body by a near unanimous vote of the Democrats to stop this legislation in its tracks and allow the so-called International Criminal Court to continue with their lack of justice.
“So where do we go from here? What is the path forward for peace and prosperity in the Middle East?
“This is what Prime Minister Netanyahu and I spoke about.
“First, peace and prosperity in the Middle East begins with American support for Israel.
“President Trump and Republicans in Congress stand with Israel. Our support is unwavering, unbreakable, and unequivocal.
“Second, the biggest barrier to peace and prosperity in the Middle East is Iran.
“As the largest state sponsor of terror in the world, Iran controls a vast, violent network of proxies. These Iranian terror proxies include Hamas, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen.
“Iran funds its terror proxies by selling oil to Communist China.
“Last year alone, the Iranian regime’s oil sales to China averaged 1.5 million barrels each and every day.
“To break Iran’s chokehold on the Middle East, America must bring back Maximum Pressure.
“President Trump is tough on Iran.
“During his first administration, he imposed crippling sanctions and enforcement measures. It brought Iran to its knees.
“He is back in the White House. So is his successful Maximum Pressure campaign.
“This week, he restored sanctions on Iran. This comes after he relabeled the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization.
“It is a strong start. We must do more.
“In the Senate, stopping Iranian terror is a priority for this Republican majority.
“Third, deterring Iran means restoring peace through strength.
“Republicans are supporting our military. We are ready to make key investments that make our military the most lethal, most powerful force in the world.
“Under Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, we are already seeing morale return and recruiting numbers rise.
“We are also working to bring back American energy dominance.
“Energy is America’s most critical national security asset. We are an energy superpower with enormous natural resources.
“Under this administration and this majority, we will unleash American energy.
“A stronger America makes our allies stronger and the world safer. Strength deters our enemies. We will work with Israel every step of the way.
“Together, America and Israel will bring a new era of peace and prosperity to the Middle East.”
###