OKC Standard

U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin, representing Oklahoma, has joined forces with Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jim Risch from Idaho and 26 other Republican senators to announce the introduction of the Stand with Israel Act. This legislative move aims to cut U.S. funding to United Nations agencies that take actions such as expelling, downgrading, or suspending Israel's participation. The bill is a counterpart to House bill HR 9394, spearheaded by Representative Mike Lawler of New York.

Senator Mullin stated, "The United States must end funding to the UN if they cave to the Palestinian Authority and downgrade or restrict the State of Israel’s participation in any way." He emphasized that Senate Republicans are committed to preventing American taxpayer dollars from supporting organizations that challenge Israel's status as a democracy in the Middle East.

Ranking Member Risch added his concerns about potential changes to Israel's status at the UN: "Any attempt to alter Israel’s status at the UN is clearly anti-Semitic." He warned that if UN member states allow for such changes initiated by entities like the Palestinian Authority and Palestine Liberation Organization, it would render U.S. support for the UN system untenable.

Other senators supporting this legislation include Tom Cotton (R-AR), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Steve Daines (R-MT), Mike Lee (R-UT), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), John Barrasso (R-WY), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Rick Scott (R-FL), John Kennedy (R-LA), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Ted Budd (R-NC), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tim Scott(R-SC) , Josh Hawley(R-MO) , James Lankford(R-OK) , John Thune(R-SD) , and Deb Fischer(R-NE).

The text of the Stand with Israel Act can be accessed through appropriate channels for those interested in further details.