America Must Show Leadership in the Face of Terrorism

We are now witnessing the second week of one of the darkest times in Israel's history. Hamas' unprovoked and heinous terrorist attack against Israel has resulted in an unprecedented amount of death and destruction. This is Israel's 9/11, and America cannot sit idly by.

We are living in dangerous times, and our adversaries are watching how the United States responds to this terrorist attack. Now is the time to demonstrate strength and show the world we stand firmly with our friend and ally Israel. Read more about my work to support Israel from the Austin American-Statesman here.

Condemning Hamas' Atrocities and War Crimes

Hamas is a genocidal terrorist organization. Their attack on Israel — including barbaric murders of women, children, the elderly, and holocaust survivors — comprised the full range of war crimes and crimes against humanity under international law.

This week, I wrote a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and United States Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice Beth Van Schaack, issuing a clear and unambiguous declaration that Hamas has committed acts of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes against the Jewish people and the State of Israel. I also urged the Biden administration to formally declare the same thing.

Click here to read more about my letter from Townhall.

Prioritizing Israel & Combating Terror

It's no secret that the Iranian regime supports Hamas and other terrorist organizations by providing them with financial and material support. As the threat of terrorism increases around the world after Hamas' brutal attack in Israel, my committee made it a priority this week to markup and pass eight pieces of legislation, focused on supporting Israel and our allies by combatting terrorism carried out by Iran and its proxies.

I was particularly proud that my committee passed my bipartisan resolution, H. Res. 559, declaring it the policy of the United States that a nuclear Iran is not acceptable.

You can read about the legislation we reviewed here, and listen to my opening remarks at the full committee markup below.

Click to watch

The No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act

This week, I also introduced the No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act, which would permanently freeze the $6 billion the Biden administration foolishly released in their hostage deal with Iran last month.

Iran is the largest state sponsor of terror in the world. Regardless of the administration's promises that the money will only be used for humanitarian purposes, the president of Iran has said he would use this money however he wants. We cannot give the Iranian regime another $6 billion for their terror operations, which include ongoing support for Hamas’ unprovoked war against our ally Israel.

To read more about the No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act, click here.

As chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I also led 19 of my colleagues on a letter to President Biden, urging his administration to immediately and permanently freeze this $6 billion payout to Iran. To read more about my letter, click here.

ICYMI: Rep. McCaul TV Coverage

McCaul on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures"

"I'm getting a little too nervous with this coziness between Iran and this administration, and State Department, and Defense Department. I would view it as an infiltration or an opening of the gates of Iran into our government."

Click to watch

McCaul on Fox News' "Special Report"

"I don't understand this attempt to downplay Iran's role and sweep it under the rug. Iran is behind all of this. Their fingerprints are all over this. Iran provides $150 million per year to Hamas and weapons systems that they used to kill innocent civilians in Israel — of course they're behind this."

Click to watch

McCaul on Fox News' "The Faulkner Focus"

"My top-line thoughts are number one, why are we giving $6 billion to Iran when we know they funded Hamas, gave them weapons, prepared for this massive invasion in Israel ... [What Hamas is doing] is like ISIS."

Click to watch

McCaul on Fox News' "Your World"

"It's heartbreaking [for Hamas to] take children and hostages. ... This is the sickest thing about Hamas and a terror organization that acts like ISIS. ... They need to be eliminated from the face of the earth."

Click to watch

McCaul on Newsmax's "The Balance"

"It's very clear that [the] hospital was taken out by a misfired Hamas rocket, and yet this is what [Hamas does] best — they turn the narrative against Israel, making Israel the perpetrator and Hamas the victim, when it's just the opposite."

Click to watch

Important Resources

As a reminder for any of my constituents — and all U.S. citizens — in Israel right now, the State Department has issued the following guidance:

U.S. citizens seeking to leave Israel on U.S. government transportation MUST submit a crisis intake form here.

Shortly after filling out the form, citizens will receive an email with further guidance from the U.S. Embassy in Israel.

To get in touch with the embassy via phone, call 1-833-890-9595, and to ensure the embassy can contact you in an emergency, you can enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program here.

For more resources as well as the latest updates from the State Department, click here.