Austin News

U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) criticized Vice President Kamala Harris and Senate Democrat leadership for their decision to boycott Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s joint address to Congress. Cornyn expressed his disappointment on the Senate floor, emphasizing the significance of the event.

“I am absolutely stunned and profoundly disappointed that the Vice President of the United States has decided to boycott participating in this particular speech,” Cornyn stated.

He questioned Harris's justification for her absence, citing a scheduling conflict despite the date being announced in early June. “The Vice President can’t be bothered to show up at the nation’s capital and the House chamber and to demonstrate the respect and courtesy that we thought was a given, but apparently not,” he added.

Cornyn also noted that other senior Democratic leaders, including Senate President pro tem Senator Murray and Majority Whip Senator Durbin, were boycotting the address. “I think it’s absolutely disgraceful that the most senior members of the Democratic Party have chosen to give the Heisman to one of our closest allies in the Middle East,” he remarked.

He further criticized their actions as pandering to radical elements within their party base. Highlighting a critical issue, Cornyn mentioned, “Eight of the current hostages are American citizens, and the Vice President can’t be bothered to show up? It’s disgraceful.”