Hurd Signs Discharge Petition to Strengthen America’s Security in the Middle East and Fight the BDS Movement

Recently, I signed a discharge petition that, if it receives 218 signatures, would force a vote on H.R. 336, the Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act of 2019.

The package includes legislation that would give state and local governments more tools to fight the Global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement (BDS), which seeks to delegitimize the State of Israel and isolate it from the community of nations by targeting both Israeli and foreign companies and institutions, solely because of their association with Israel. I joined Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Michael McCaul (TX-10) and Rep. Patrick McHenry (NC-10) to introduce H.R. 336 in January.

The United States is a critical partner in a violent and turbulent region and we must stand with Israel against rising antisemitism around the world. That’s why I have joined my colleagues in supporting legislation that condemns the global BDS movement and gives state and local governments new tools to fight back against these groups.

The Strengthening America’s Security in the Middle East Act of 2019, H.R. 336 includes four bills from the 115th Congress:

• Combating BDS Act of 2018 – 27 Democrats in the 116th Congress were cosponsors of the bill
• United States-Israel Security Authorization Assistance Act of 2018 – Passed the House by voice vote
• United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Extension Act – Passed the House by voice vote
• Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2018 – Passed the House by voice vote

Just last week, I wrote my local biweekly Hurd on the Column about the importance of supporting our friends and allies in the dangerous world facing the United States abroad.