Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed members of Congress today.
The speech focused on the deal that President Barack Obama and his administration is trying to reach with Iran over nuclear capabilities. During and after Netanyahu’s speech, members of the House and Senate took to Twitter to react.
I welcome opportunity to hear Israel PM Netanyahu & appreciate his insight as an experienced leader in the MiddleEast http://t.co/BUqCeYGVq1
— Jerry Moran (@JerryMoran) March 3, 2015
Electric atmosphere on the floor. @netanyahu about to begin – watch live on CSPAN #IStandWithIsrael — Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) March 3, 2015
Glad that #Netanyahu began with rundown of unprecedented support from Obama and this Congress to Israel. #NetanyahuSpeech
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) March 3, 2015
I will be attending the joint session to hear from PM @netanyahu soon. I look forward to hearing from the leader of one our greatest allies.
— John Kline (@repjohnkline) March 3, 2015
Looking forward to hearing the Prime Minister of Israel address Congress in just a few moments @netanyahu — Lee Zeldin (@RepLeeZeldin) March 3, 2015
Awaiting Prime Minister @netanyahu‘s speech. #UnitedwithIsrael pic.twitter.com/X0CTgorzos
— Gary Palmer (@USRepGaryPalmer) March 3, 2015
About to watch Prime Minister @Netanyahu’s speech to Congress. #IStandWithIsrael pic.twitter.com/6KSRT43Btz — Senator Ron Johnson (@SenRonJohnson) March 3, 2015
Prime Minister Netanyahu: “I know that you stand with Israel.” pic.twitter.com/WsXRm0bxEY
— Senator Hatch Office (@SenOrrinHatch) March 3, 2015
It’s good to have a truly courageous leader addressing the Congress today #NetanyahuSpeech pic.twitter.com/tLp85V4mVF — Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) March 3, 2015
In just a few mins Prime Minister @netanyahu will address a joint meeting of Congress. Proud to attend. http://t.co/VVVI9RYQLH #Netanyahu
— David Young (IA-3) (@RepDavidYoung) March 3, 2015
Pleased to have my wife Shirley join me for PM Netanyahu’s address in just a few minutes now– will you be tuning in? pic.twitter.com/KlFnLwUMlN — Randy Forbes (@Randy_Forbes) March 3, 2015
PM @netanyahu will address a joint meeting of Congress live at 10am ET. @CSPAN I’m grateful to be in attendance.
— John Ratcliffe (@RepRatcliffe) March 3, 2015
I stand with my Republican and Democratic colleagues in support of Prime Minister @netanyahu. http://t.co/ZO2eYmOyuY #NetanyahuSpeech — Rep. Carlos Curbelo (@RepCurbelo) March 3, 2015
Looking forward to Bibi speech — expect him to elaborate on the threats facing Israel, US and world
— Rep. Erik Paulsen (@RepErikPaulsen) March 3, 2015
My position is clear. #Israel pic.twitter.com/ecWXxFNvZv — Gus Bilirakis (@RepGusBilirakis) March 3, 2015
I stand with #Israel – our friend and ally – & welcome PM Ben Netanyahu to the House for a Joint Session of Congress pic.twitter.com/FHQ4E0DeVI
— Rep. Don Young (@repdonyoung) March 3, 2015
Proud + humbled to escort @IsraeliPM‘s on @HouseFloor to address #Congress on #Iran‘s global threat @SpeakerBoehner. pic.twitter.com/m6OIK46J7V — Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (@RosLehtinen) March 3, 2015
God Bless Israel
— johnculberson (@johnculberson) March 3, 2015
It was an honor for @rcamposDuffy & me to meet Mr. Netanyahu in Israel – proud to support him today. #StandWithIsrael pic.twitter.com/975tCxhuzE — Sean Duffy (@RepSeanDuffy) March 3, 2015
The stakes are too high for America not to fully support one of our closest and most steadfast allies. #IStandWithIsrael #Israel
— Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) March 3, 2015
Bottom line: glad I went. But time to flush the politics out of support for Israel. It should never again be a D/R issue. — Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) March 3, 2015
I thought it was disingenuous for #Netanyahu to act as if a “deal” was done. Admin still tells me it’s less than 50/50.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) March 3, 2015
It’s an honor and a privilege to attend today’s joint session of Congress and hear from Israeli Prime Minister #Netanyahu. #StandWithIsrael
— Mark Meadows (@RepMarkMeadows) March 3, 2015
I was proud to be a part of PM @Netanyahu’s official Escort Committee, and I was honored to personally greet him. pic.twitter.com/SE5yzLzYlV — CathyMcMorrisRodgers (@cathymcmorris) March 3, 2015
Proud to join with many of my colleagues in welcoming PM Netanyahu
— Rep. Mia Love (@RepMiaLove) March 3, 2015
interesting bow to Obama for his support, things that could have been acknowledged long before this unfortunate event, but were not — Earl Blumenauer (@repblumenauer) March 3, 2015
Glad to hear @netanyahu emphasize #bipartisan support for #Israel – proud of American unification for our ally #wvpol #NetanyahuSpeech
— David B. McKinley (@RepMcKinley) March 3, 2015
Not all members of Congress were pleased to have Netanyahu speak.
Watching PM #Netanyahu‘s speech with #Memphis #AIPAC members in my Capitol Hill office. #Israel #diplomacy pic.twitter.com/zKEyvKU2J0
— Steve Cohen (@RepCohen) March 3, 2015
Let’s call this speech what it really is: a campaign stunt. I refuse to be anyone’s political prop. http://t.co/TcVQmFAbsU #SkipTheSpeech — Gwen Moore (@RepGwenMoore) March 3, 2015
Still, the speech had significant support from both chambers with a few critics mixed in.
I was proud to represent Utahns today in attending Prime Minister Netenyahu’s address to Congress: http://t.co/woGlUYB6D4 #IStandWithIsrael — Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) March 3, 2015
On #NetanyahuSpeech: “It’s important for Congress & the American people to hear from such strong allies” http://t.co/mMPPjy8uFN
— Sen. Lamar Alexander (@SenAlexander) March 3, 2015
I was pleased to hear @netanyahu‘s speech today & will continue to #StandWithIsrael http://t.co/JPdGJh1lEZ — Senator Rand Paul (@SenRandPaul) March 3, 2015
Prime Minister Netanyahu’s speech was amazing–Churchill-like clarity and strength. I pray we learn from history, not repeat its mistakes.
— David Vitter (@DavidVitter) March 3, 2015
.@Netanyahu explained the danger our allies face: Iran’s stated goal is annihilating #Israel. Hope someone in the White House paid attention — Senator Ben Sasse (@SenSasse) March 3, 2015
Thoroughly impressed by Prime Minister @netanyahu. That was a great speech! #NetanyahuSpeech #StandWithIsrael
— David Perdue (@sendavidperdue) March 3, 2015
I hope Congress will exercise its right to have a say on any deal between P5+1 and Iran on their nuclear program. — Lindsey Graham (@GrahamBlog) March 3, 2015
The problem w/ inspectors? “Inspectors document violations, they don’t stop them” – @netanyahu #NetanyahuSpeech #wvpol
— David B. McKinley (@RepMcKinley) March 3, 2015
interesting statement of known problems, waiting for any hint he has a solution that is better than diplomacy… — Earl Blumenauer (@repblumenauer) March 3, 2015
The shameful process of Netanyahu’s speech aside, the administration will have to answer his critique point by point
— Gerry Connolly (@GerryConnolly) March 3, 2015
Standing room only on Repub side of chamber so many are spread out. Bibi is giving an impassioned plea for restraint. #JointSession #Isreal — Rep. Bill Huizenga (@RepHuizenga) March 3, 2015
still chewing on the statement that Iran and ISIS are equivalent
— Earl Blumenauer (@repblumenauer) March 3, 2015
Netanyahu cites @StateDept @JohnKerry, misleadingly, as confirming his critique of Iran deal. Now that’s chutzpah! — Gerry Connolly (@GerryConnolly) March 3, 2015
1/4 No single individual has done more to harm the vitally important U.S.-Israeli relationship than @Netanyahu #NetanyahuSpeech
— Rep. Peter Welch (@PeterWelch) March 3, 2015
2/4 The Israeli electorate will decide whether to entrust a man with his temperament & judgment to be custodian of US/Israel relationship — Rep. Peter Welch (@PeterWelch) March 3, 2015
3/4 With this speech, @Netanyahu has made the decision to undermine delicate negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program #NetanyahuSpeech
— Rep. Peter Welch (@PeterWelch) March 3, 2015
4/4 I am listening carefully to @Netanyahu. What is his Plan B to negotiations? Military intervention? If so, he should say so.If not, what? — Rep. Peter Welch (@PeterWelch) March 3, 2015
He articulated clearly why Iran threat is of such significance and why negative consequences of a bad deal will impact all Americans
— Senator Dan Coats (@SenDanCoats) March 3, 2015
Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., took to Twitter in a series of tweets to call for the sniping before the speech to pass, and to work a more united front in defense of Israel.
I was pleased to welcome PM Netanyahu to a joint session of Congress today and appreciated the strength and purpose of his address. (1/9) — Mike Fitzpatrick (@RepFitzpatrick) March 3, 2015
As the United States’ strongest ally and a force for democracy and freedom in the Middle East, I stand with Israel and their efforts (2/9)
— Mike Fitzpatrick (@RepFitzpatrick) March 3, 2015
to protect their homeland & prevent proliferation of those who would see them destroyed. Mr Netanyahu’s speech was one which sought to (3/9) — Mike Fitzpatrick (@RepFitzpatrick) March 3, 2015
unite us across geographical and ideological lines for the common goal of a nuclear-free Iran. As the Obama administration continues (4/9)
— Mike Fitzpatrick (@RepFitzpatrick) March 3, 2015
moving forward with the P5+1 negotiations with Iran in the coming weeks, it is important to heed Mr. Netanyahu’s words and ensure (5/9) — Mike Fitzpatrick (@RepFitzpatrick) March 3, 2015
we are engaging in these discussion in a clear and transparent manner – ensuring a role for both Israel and the United States Congress (6/9)
— Mike Fitzpatrick (@RepFitzpatrick) March 3, 2015
Support for Israel has always been an area of bipartisan agreement in our nation’s capital, and it is my hope that moving forward the (7/9) — Mike Fitzpatrick (@RepFitzpatrick) March 3, 2015
differences of opinion on small objections to protocol or politics be moved to the side (8/9)
— Mike Fitzpatrick (@RepFitzpatrick) March 3, 2015
in favor of the larger objective of a safe Israel and a stable region. (9/9) — Mike Fitzpatrick (@RepFitzpatrick) March 3, 2015
