WASHINGTON D.C., DC — U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran, who represents East Texans in the House of Representatives, is among over 400 U.S. Congress leaders who showed their support for Israel amid the ongoing war against Hamas through a resolution this week.
In a 412-10 vote, the House approved Resolution 771, which seeks to show that the United States stands with Israel and condemns the terrorist group Hamas. The resolution shows America's support to Israel and agrees with Israel's right to self-defense. You can read the resolution here.
Moran was one of the sponsors of the resolution and he spoke out on the House floor as to why the U.S. should support Israel.
"As a Christian, freedom-loving Texan and sitting member of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, the events in Israel these past weeks are of upmost concern. But beyond that they should concern every American and frankly every member of humanity, regardless of religion, ethnicity, race, gender, or political affiliation," Moran said. "What we've seen in these past weeks is pure hate and pure evil."
During an interview with CBS19, Moran noted that the resolution was a bipartisan effort showing that both Republicans and Democrats stand with Israel.
Resolution 771 does not provide monetary or military support as those points would come up later in the appropriations process, Moran said.
"It's something we want to do we want to show support in those ways," he said. "But to begin with a strong bipartisan statement of support for Israel, and opposing Hamas, and what they've done the atrocities and the evil in that region in the past couple of weeks."
In his speech, Moran also called Hamas a "well-known Iranian backed terrorist organization whose official charter calls for the obliteration of Israel and the Jewish people."
"Now is not the time for timidity. It is the time for strength in unity with Israel. Such action will help deter evil in the future, preserve life and promote liberty," Moran said. "Now's the time for us to be all in to strengthen steadiness in this time. Let us begin by standing with Israel."
Moran said friends of the U.S. like Israel have to know that the U.S. can be trusted and foes need to fear America.
"For our friends to trust us, we have to stand with them in their time of need. And so when I say whatever Israel needs, I mean, whatever it is, Israel needs. If they need economic support in this time, we need to give it to them," Moran said. "If they need a military support in this time, we need to give it to them. If they need equipment or other military vessels that that will aid in their in their defense of their nation, we need to give it to him."
He added the U.S. government needs to impose sanctions on the people and organizations who were a part of the terrorist attacks on Israel, who he called America's greatest ally.
Moran's office has also worked with several American families to get them out of Israel. He said he's not aware of any remaining cases at this time.
In other congressional news, Moran said Wednesday he's excited that Rep. Mike Johnson from Louisiana's fourth district was elected speaker of the House following a tumultuous series of votes for other nominees.
He said him and Johnson share the same values and Johnson's district butts right up against the East Texas district.
"We have a lot in common as it relates to economies and principles and people, and the issues that are important to each one of us. So this was an easy vote for me today, I was so thrilled that we would nominate out of the GOP conference, Mike Johnson and then elect him unanimously on the House floor by the Republicans, of course, opposed by the Democrats," Moran said.
He's also looking forward to getting back to the appropriations process to get more bills passed, such as those related to water and energy, before the Nov. 17 deadline.
The main goal is to reduce spending as much as possible, Moran said while noting areas like Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security will be untouched and preserved for the future.