By Ashlee BanksSpecial to the AFRO
Members of the U.S. Home of Representatives are blasting Home Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) after he refused to ask Kenyan President William Ruto to handle a joint session of Congress final week, as an alternative extending that invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“Speaker Johnson has been extremely disrespectful to the nation of Kenya and to the Kenyan president,” stated U.S. Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.) “That is an ally, a strategic associate on the continent of Africa who has been working within the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo), they’ve additionally been coping with the challenges in Somalia, they’ve been attempting to handle the problems in Chad and they’re on the entrance strains in Haiti.”
The California lawmaker added, “We have now completed nothing to assist them after which this speaker determined to disinvite this strategic associate from speaking earlier than a joint session of Congress.”
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., is against Netanyahu’s go to given that he’s being accused of committing struggle crimes amid the Israel-Hamas battle that has killed greater than 35,000 Palestinians – largely ladies and kids.
“I simply don’t suppose it’s constructive for Netanyahu to be doing a joint deal with on this second,” stated Ocasio-Cortez.
Conversely, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) is just not averse to Netanyahu addressing Congress. But, she does imagine Johnson must be inclusive when extending an invite to world leaders.
“I imagine if we’re having different international locations’ leaders are available and deal with Congress, then why are others rejected, just like the president of Kenya,” stated Greene. “I don’t perceive that. If we’re bringing in different international locations’ leaders then we undoubtedly ought to’ve had the president of Kenya.”
Johnson stated final week that he’s coordinating with Netanyahu on a date. As soon as confirmed, he’ll inform members of Congress. This would be the Israeli prime minister’s fourth time addressing congressional members.
Though President Ruto was unable to handle a joint session of Congress final week, he obtained a heat welcome from Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), members of the Congressional Black Caucus, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
