Condemning the Biden Administration for failing to fulfill the United States Government's duty to American citizens left stranded in Israel.
Impact
The resolution serves as an official expression of discontent from a significant number of bipartisan members of the House of Representatives (146 members) regarding the federal government's handling of the crisis. It underscores the perceived negligence from the Department of State in not utilizing available resources to facilitate the evacuation of American citizens, notably before the decision to arrange charter flights was made on October 12, 2023. The implication of HR797 is that it seeks to hold the administration accountable for prioritizing the safety and well-being of U.S. citizens in conflict zones.
Summary
HR797 is a resolution condemning the Biden Administration for its inadequate response to American citizens stranded in Israel following the outbreak of conflict with Hamas on October 7, 2023. The bill criticizes the administration's failure to provide timely and effective evacuation options for approximately 500,000 U.S. citizens residing in Israel and an estimated 900,000 visitors present at the time of the crisis. It highlights the severe limitations on commercial flights during this period and the actions of the Department of State, which were deemed insufficient to address the urgent evacuation needs of American citizens.
Contention
Key points of contention surrounding HR797 include accusations of inefficiency and lack of decisiveness on the part of the Biden Administration. Critics of the administration's response argue that the Department of State did not adequately respond to requests for assistance, jeopardizing the safety of U.S. citizens at a critical time. The bill frames the government's delayed action as not only a failure of duty but also a matter of prioritizing immigration assistance to illegal migrants over the urgent needs of its citizens abroad.
Condemning President Erdogan and his regime for issuing destabilizing statements following the attacks on the State of Israel on October 7, 2023, endangering the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's mission, threatening the territorial integrity of neighboring countries, supporting terrorism, and fostering antisemitic behavior around the globe.
Condemning foreign nationals in the United States who have endorsed and espoused the actions of foreign terrorist organizations (FTO) in Gaza who, on October 7, 2023, launched attacks against the State of Israel, and killed innocent Israeli and United States citizens.
Censuring Representative Rashida Tlaib for promoting false narratives regarding the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and for calling for the destruction of the state of Israel.
Honoring and remembering the victims of the crash of American Airlines Flight 587 in Rockaway Queens, New York, on November 12, 2001, and extending the sincerest condolences of the citizens of the United States to the families and friends of those individuals.
Providing the sense of the House of Representatives that the political persecution of President Donald J. Trump is morally unjustifiable and has damaged institutional trust to an extraordinary degree; that the Biden administration's weaponization of the Federal Government against Donald Trump, the Republican Party's nominee for President in 2024, must end; that those responsible for the persecution of Donald Trump within the Biden administration must be held accountable by Congress; and that the United States would benefit enormously from having Donald J. Trump inaugurated once again as the President of the United States on January 20, 2025.