Nearly 50 members of Congress have decided not to attend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech scheduled for Wednesday. The count reveals that 39 House members and nine Senators have been named as not attending. Additionally, it has been reported that more than 80 House Democrats are expected to boycott the speech, as estimated by Democratic leadership.
Senate Foreign Relations Chair Ben Cardin will be presiding over Netanyahu's address, as Vice President Kamala Harris and Patty Murray have declined the invitation. Many Democrats from both the House and Senate have publicly stated their decision to skip the speech.
This morning, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that she will not be attending the speech and instead will be meeting with hostage families. Notable figures among those boycotting the event include Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Dick Durban, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Jim Clyburn, and Rep. Ilhan Omar.
