Heck Issues Statement on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Speech

(Greg Lemon) – WASHINGTON — Congressman Joe Heck (NV-03) today issued the following statement after listening to a joint address to Congress by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu delivered a very important message to Congress: the current negotiations pursued by the Obama Administration would not prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Iran has repeatedly missed deadlines for dismantling its nuclear program and yet the Administration continues to release money previously withheld through Congressionally-imposed sanctions. All the while, Iran continues to exert greater influence in places like Yemen, Syria, and Iraq, and in other nations through its sponsorship of terrorist groups like Hezbollah. Iran will never stop its march towards obtaining a nuclear weapon, and I am glad Prime Minister Netanyahu came before Congress to underscore the gravity of the situation and clearly point out why the deal currently pursued by the White House with Iran is a bad one.  Iran’s nuclear aspirations threaten not just Israel, but all of the Middle East, the United States, and all of society.”

During his speech, Prime Minister Netanyahu also mentioned the importance of the Iron Dome missile defense system to Israel’s security which was demonstrated during a series of rocket attacks against Israel during the summer of 2014. A year prior to those attacks, Congressman Heck introduced an amendment that was adopted as part of H.R. 2397, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for FY14, to allocate $15 million in additional funds to be spent on developing increased capabilities for the Iron Dome missile defense system by creating a US-based production line.

During House debate on the amendment Rep. Heck said, “This funding will also provide a second source of production for Israel, who can leverage the rate production capabilities of American firms to ensure that necessary quantities of Iron Dome Interceptors are fielded as rapidly as possible.”

Congressman Joe Heck represents Nevada’s Third Congressional District in the House of Representatives. He serves on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.