House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries implored his Republican counterparts to “get their act together” amid the speaker impasse and the war in Israel.
Jeffries (D-NY) lamented the “very heartbreaking situation” and “tragic situation” while hinting that a deadlock in Congress could prevent a US response.
“It is my hope that my fellow Republicans can get their act together, can settle on a speaker who can get 217 votes,” Jeffries told CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday.
“And that we can move forward to ensure that the business of the American people has done both as it relates to our domestic needs,” Jeffries continued, “as well as our national security considerations in terms of being there for Israel, being there for the Ukrainians .”
Last Tuesday a group of eight Republicans led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) joined with a united bloc of Democrats to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in a 216 to 210 vote.
With the removal of McCarthy, Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) has assumed the position as Speaker Pro Tempore, but the extent of his authority to introduce bills remains in question.
Hakeem Jeffries appeals to State Legislators to ‘get their act together’ in civil war as speaker.REUTERS
Never in US history has a Speaker of the House been ousted by a motion to vacate. McCarthy has bowed out of consideration for the hammer.
Halfway around the world on Saturday, the Palestinian terror group Hamas launched a wide-ranging surprise attack on Israel just a day after 50 years since the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War.
Follow The Post’s live blog for the latest news on Hamas attacks on Israel
The Israeli cabinet invoked Article 40 of Aleph, marking the first officially declared war since 1973.
Jeffries reaffirmed his support for Israel. He visited the Jewish State in April.
“The United States will continue to stand firmly behind Israel. America’s bond with Israel is unshakable and unbreakable. We have stood firmly behind Israel in the first 75 years and we will stand firmly behind Israel for the next 75 years and beyond,” he said.
“There will probably be a need for some additional provisions regarding the Iron Dome or David’s Arrow, David’s Sling, some of Israel’s defense systems that may need to be strengthened given the possibility of a prolonged engagement,” he added.
600 Israelis have been killed since the war against Hamas began on Saturday. AFP via Getty Images Kevin McCarthy became the first House Speaker to be ousted by a motion to vacate on Tuesday.AFP via Getty Images
As a House Democrat No. 1, Jeffries is a member of the Gang of Eight — members of Congress who are entitled to highly classified intelligence briefings by the administration.
He had been briefed on the situation in Israel, but had not yet been briefed by the Gang of Eight.
“I expect that we will have an opportunity to hold a safety briefing sometime next week. But our commitment to Israel’s security is ironclad,” he stressed.
The worst attack on Israel in 50 years: How we got here
2005: Israel unilaterally withdraws from the Gaza Strip three decades after winning the territory from Egypt in the Six-Day War.
2006: The terrorist group Hamas wins Palestinian legislative elections.
2007: Hamas takes control of Gaza in a civil war.
2008: Israel launched a military offensive against Gaza after Palestinian terrorists fired rockets into the city of Sderot.
2023: Hamas launches its biggest attack on Israel in 50 years.
More than 600 Israelis died, more than 2,150 were injured and 100 were taken hostage, with the death toll expected to rise after Hamas terrorists fired thousands of rockets and sent dozens of militants into Israeli cities.
Hamas terrorists are seen taking women hostage and parading them through the streets in a gruesome video.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced “We are at war” and promised Hamas would pay an “unprecedented price.”
Gaza health officials reported at least 300 Palestinians killed with 2,200 injured.
House Republicans are scheduled to hold a speaker candidate forum on Tuesday followed by a vote on Wednesday.
The top two contenders are Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Oh.) and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.)
Jeffries declined to comment on either of the two Republicans, but repeated his offer in an op-ed last week to create a “bipartisan path forward.”
“We have made it clear as Democrats that we are ready, willing, and able to find common ground to enter a bipartisan path forward so that we can govern the House in a clear way that ensures bipartisan priorities that have significant support from Democrats and Republicans in the House can receive vote up or down” he said.
In the “last day or so,” Jeffries has had no correspondence with his Republican leadership counterpart about the speaker situation, but emphasized that “discussions are ongoing” with other House Republicans and Democrats.
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