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Floor Speech

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Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, before I begin, I would like to say a word about the International Criminal Court's issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Gallant.

The ICC's decision is outrageous, unlawful, and dangerous. Israel has the right to defend itself, and the ICC's rogue actions only enable the terrorists who seek to wipe Israel off the map. These actions threaten Israel, but, left unchecked, they could pose a threat to the United States in the future.

The Senate needs to stand strongly with our ally at this time. I am, again, calling on Leader Schumer to bring a bill to the floor sanctioning the ICC, which the House has already passed with bipartisan support.

Last night, the Senate sent a strong bipartisan message of support for Israel by rejecting resolutions that would have denied Israel the lethal aid that they need. Now, the Democrat leader needs to bring up the ICC sanctions bill.

If he chooses not to act, the new Senate Republican majority, next year, will. We will stand with Israel and make this bill and other supportive legislation a top priority in the next Congress.

In 6 weeks, Republicans will retake the majority here. And when we do, we will make it clear that the United States stands squarely in Israel's corner.

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