Charleston Leader

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Vice Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, delivered remarks on the Senate floor today, emphasizing Senate Republicans' support for Israel and criticizing President Biden's decision to withhold security assistance from Israel amid ongoing conflicts.

Senator Capito also expressed her disapproval of the International Criminal Court’s decision to seek warrants against Israeli leaders and condemned rising anti-Semitism and violence towards Jewish communities in the United States.

Yesterday, during a weekly Senate Republican Leadership press conference, Senator Capito discussed oversight findings from the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee. These findings revealed that a $50 million grant was awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to "Climate Justice Alliance," a group that engages in pro-Hamas, anti-Israel, and anti-Semitic activities.

Senator Capito’s prepared floor remarks included reflections on Israel’s 76th Independence Day celebrated on May 14th. She stated: “Israel was founded in the wake of the Holocaust to give the Jewish people a homeland,” noting that the United States has been a steadfast ally since recognizing Israel first among nations.

She highlighted recent turmoil due to terrorist attacks on Israel since October 7th, mentioning that twelve hundred Israelis were killed in an initial attack by Hamas. Criticizing President Biden's response to these events, she said: “This longstanding U.S.-Israel relationship is now becoming unnecessarily strained by President Biden’s quest to appease those in his party who do not support the state of Israel.”

Capito addressed campus protests calling for a ceasefire without demanding similar actions from Hamas: “They want Israel to stop fighting...to lose.” She emphasized that Hamas broke an existing ceasefire on October 7th by attacking civilians.

Highlighting Iran's role in supporting Hamas financially and militarily, she remarked: “Without Iran’s help...Hamas would not have been able to execute their terrorist attacks on Israel.” She further criticized calls for a ceasefire as emboldening Hamas’ objectives.

Regarding the International Criminal Court seeking arrest warrants for both Hamas and Israeli leaders for war crimes, she commented: “It is simply shocking that the ICC would seek to establish a delusional level of equivalency between the actions of Israel and Hamas.”

Senator Capito also criticized President Biden for withholding security assistance approved by Congress for Israel: “President Biden has decided to play politics by placing a hold on security assistance.” She connected this policy decision with halted negotiations for hostage releases by Hamas.

Additionally, Capito brought attention to troubling findings related to funding provided under President Biden's IRA: "We discovered that ‘Climate Justice Alliance,’ received $50 million...openly denies Israel’s right to exist." She described it as despicable that taxpayer dollars fund such activities.

Concluding her remarks, Senator Capito urged condemnation of rising anti-Semitism and reiterated Republican support for Israel: "Together we must condemn the rise of anti-Semitism...My Republican colleagues and I will continue our unwavering support for Israel."