Senate Democrats appear unsure about whether to attend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s remarks to a joint session of Congress next month.
“I haven’t made up my mind yet,” Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut, told Fox News Digital.
Asked if he had any specific concerns, he reiterated that “I haven’t made up my mind yet.”
Republicans plan to spend millions on ads in battleground states as they seek to win Senate majority
Several Senate Democrats said they had not yet decided whether to attend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress next month. (Getty Images)
Last month, bipartisan congressional leaders signed a letter urging Netanyahu to address lawmakers as Israel continues its battle against the terrorist group Hamas in the war-torn Gaza Strip. In the letter, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) wrote, “To advance our enduring relationship and underscore U.S.-Israeli solidarity, we urge you to share the government of Israel’s vision for defending democracy, fighting terrorism, and establishing a just and lasting peace in the region.”
Schumer, who has been a particular critic of Netanyahu, accepted the invitation and justified his choice by explaining that “the relationship between the United States and Israel is strong and goes beyond any one person or prime minister.”
Democrats are looking to repeal the federal provision, which could affect mail-in abortions.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York signed the invitation for Prime Minister Netanyahu. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
“I’ll have to see what the conflicts are,” Sen. Tom Carper (D-Delaware) said of possibly attending the speech scheduled for July 24.
“I haven’t decided yet,” Minnesota Democratic Sen. Tina Smith told Fox News Digital.
Democratic Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii echoed similar sentiments, saying he had not yet decided whether to attend the Israeli prime minister’s speech.
Mike Pence’s group urges Republicans to oppose bill to include women in future military draft
Schatz said he hasn’t made a decision yet. (Photo by Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images)
Senator Angus King (R-Maine), an independent who meets with Democrats in the Senate, insisted “I haven’t thought about it,” and declined to say whether he had any reservations about attending Netanyahu’s speech.
Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), both outspoken progressives who are members of the Democratic caucus, have already said they will not attend the speech. Sen. Sanders, a critic of Israel’s actions in the war, released a statement after the invitation was announced, saying, “It is a very sad day for our country that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted an invitation from leaders of both parties to address a joint session of the United States Congress.”
Trump-backed candidate wins Virginia Republican Senate primary, challenges Tim Kaine
Warren said she would not attend Netanyahu’s speech. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Warren said, Hill “Benjamin Netanyahu has created a humanitarian disaster,” she said, indicating she would not attend.
While a group of rank-and-file Democrats in the Senate have yet to make a decision, several others have no hesitation in acknowledging that they will attend Netanyahu’s speech next month.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York, responded “yes” when asked if she would attend.
Virginia Democrat Sen. Tim Kaine warns election should not be taken for granted as Trump focuses on Democratic states
Rosen is seeking re-election in Nevada. (Madeline Carter/Las Vegas Review-Journal/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Senator Jacky Rosen, Democrat of Nevada, quickly announced that she would attend as well. The incumbent Democrat is running for reelection in the swing state of Nevada, where her race is at stake. Notably, Rosen is the third Jewish woman to serve in the U.S. Senate. She also serves as co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force on Anti-Semitism.
Click here to get the FOX News app
Senators Jon Tester (D-Montana), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin), Bob Casey (D-Pennsylvania) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), who are all facing tough elections in November, are also scheduled to attend Netanyahu’s speech.
Schumer’s office did not respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital about the Democratic senators’ possible absences.
