Nine members of congress representing New York City discussed the upcoming speech by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Congress and whether they plan to attend. Senator Chuck Schumer and Representatives Charles Rangel, Jerrold Nadler, Carolyn Maloney, Joe Crowley, Hakeem Jeffries, Grace Meng, Nydia Velazquez and Yvette Clarke joined Mayor Bill de Blasio this morning for a press conference at Gracie Mansion intended to focus on the House Republicans’ inability to fund DHS for longer than this week.
Senator Schumer and six of the eight house members said that they plan to attend. Charles Rangel does not plan to attend and Yvette Clarke said that she has not yet decided. Many of the representatives had harsh words for House Speaker John Boehner, with Velazquez denouncing his actions as “shameful.” Mayor de Blasio harshly criticized Speaker Boehner for his invitation to Netanyahu, but since he is not a member of congress de Blasio does not have the option to attend.
Congressional Views:
Here’s what Senator Schumer and the House members had to say:
Mayor de Blasio:
Here’s what Mayor de Blasio had to say: