Senate Republicans are blasting Vice President Kamala Harris’ decision to skip Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to a joint session of Congress.
At a press conference on Capitol Hill, Republicans accused Harris and President Joe Biden of “waffling” in their support for Israel and criticized their decisions not to greet the polarizing Israeli leader upon his arrival. Republicans also focused on Harris’ decision not to attend and preside over the joint session of Congress in her role as president of the Senate, calling it a “disgrace” and accusing her of putting politics above the special relationship between Israel and the U.S.
“She doesn’t have many jobs as the vice president,” Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) said of Harris. “The vice president could be here today if she wanted to. She has chosen not to fulfill her duty. “
Harris is addressing a previously scheduled gathering of historically Black sorority Zeta Phi Beta in Indianapolis. But she will conduct a separate bilateral meeting with Netanyahu tomorrow at the White House, per an aide.
Others like Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) — the No. 2 Republican in the Senate — used the opportunity to re-up other GOP attacks against Harris, pointing to her work as the Biden administration’s point person on immigration and her support for marquee pieces of climate legislation.
Republicans did not attack their colleague and Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), who is also not attending Netanyahu’s speech due to a prior commitment. Biden also declined to attend Netanyahu’s last address to Congress in 2015 due to scheduling conflicts.
