MEDIA ADVISORY AND CONGRESSIONAL ALERT

Congressman Al Green Addresses Why He Did Not Sign onto H.Res.771

Thank you for receiving this explanatory communique in response to the many inquiries from the press and public concerning my decision not to cosponsor H.Res.771 (Standing with Israel as it Defends Itself Against the Barbaric War Launched by Hamas and Other Terrorists). My preeminent rationale from which others emanate is my philosophical conviction that issues of war and peace are questions of conscience, coupled with my sincere belief that we must plan for peace at the genesis of war. Winning a war while losing the peace likely portends future wars. Regrettably, the resolution at hand does not mention a two-state solution in tandem with the necessity to provide aid to the Palestinians, yet both are part and parcel to any hope for lasting peace. I was proud to see President Biden take a similar stance in his address to the nation of Israel on October 18th. My desire for a two-state solution is why, on October 12th, 2023, prior to President Biden’s statement, I sent a letter to the Foreign Affairs Committee Chair and Ranking Member explaining in greater detail why I had not signed onto H.Res.771. My position is born from conscience, for which I alone have a moral imperative to embrace. Hence, on this question of conscience, for me it is better to stand alone than not stand at all. The letter is available here and the resolution text is also available here.