House lawmakers are working on a bipartisan response to the International Criminal Court (ICC) after its top prosecutor announced that he was seeking arrest warrants against both Hamas and top Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries revealed that discussions were ongoing between Chairman Michael McCaul and ranking member Rep. Gregory Meeks to reach bipartisan consensus with respect to the ICC. McCaul emphasized that the ICC announcement violates its own stated position as a court of last resort, as Israel has a robust judicial system that does not require ICC involvement.
With the House facing a week-long recess, action on the bipartisan response to the ICC is not expected until June. Speaker Mike Johnson stated that he was exploring multiple options for a response and had discussed the matter directly with Netanyahu. One potential option is a House bill introduced by Rep. Brian Mast and Rep. Chip Roy, which includes a waiver provision contingent on the ICC backing away from pursuing arrest warrants against Israeli officials. While Democrats are seeking broader waiver powers for President Biden, Republicans are aiming for a more comprehensive approach to handling those targeted by the ICC.
The Mast-Roy bill has garnered support from 62 co-sponsors, a significant increase from the original 15, indicating growing bipartisan consensus in the House GOP conference. Rep. Mike Garcia, while not a co-signer, supports a strong U.S. response to the ICC, emphasizing the need to prevent globalist organizations from exerting influence over sovereign nations. It is important to note that neither Israel nor the United States fall under the jurisdiction of the ICC, with the Palestinian territories being the only territories within ICC’s purview.
Lawmakers involved in the discussions around the ICC response are focused on crafting a bill that would protect Israeli officials and reinforce the principles of sovereignty and national security. The intention is to arrive at a bipartisan solution that sends a clear message to the ICC that its actions are unacceptable. Members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, such as Chairman McCaul and ranking member Meeks, are actively engaged in the process of developing this response, recognizing the need for unity and strength in dealing with international challenges like the ICC.
As the debate continues within Congress over the appropriate response to the ICC’s announcement, lawmakers are considering various options to address the situation effectively. It is essential for the U.S. to assert its position on the global stage and push back against actions by international bodies that undermine national security and sovereignty. Ultimately, the goal of the bipartisan response is to protect American interests and stand in solidarity with allies, such as Israel, in the face of threats posed by organizations like the ICC.
