Dear [salutation],I wanted to reach out and talk to you about what’s been occurring in the House of Representatives. On October 7th, Hamas attacked Israel, igniting what has become one of the most devastating wars we’ve witnessed in years. Over 1,400 Israelis were murdered or burned alive with more than 250 taken hostage, and nearly 9,000 Palestinians (3,600 of them children) have been killed by Israeli Defense Forces. As the war continues, this volatile situation requires a sober approach, something Conservatives have been lacking. For the first three weeks of this conflict, Conservatives could not agree on who would lead the House of Representatives and choose a Speaker. On October 20th, President Biden called on Congress to pass a supplemental bill – a bill that contains emergency funding – to advance our critical national security priorities. In it, he requested funds to support Israel’s defense against terrorism from Hamas, defend Ukraine, provide humanitarian assistance, ensure military readiness, and more. The Right ignored these requests and provided their own bill in response.I voted against the version of the Israel supplemental bill crafted by my Conservative colleagues. This bill could not have been more reckless or unserious. It takes the unprecedented step of binding aid for Israel's defense to the effort by Conservatives to shield the wealthiest American tax cheats. It also completely fails to fund humanitarian support when and where it is needed most, does not include any funding to counter Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, nor does it work toward ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. They are wasting precious time prioritizing messaging bills instead of engaging in the hard work of legitimate governing.I also voted against several other Conservative bills that were dangerously broad or misleading. One resolution insinuated US support for potential military action in Iran and the other bill failed to recognize the humanitarian need in Gaza, with a sponsor comparing innocent Palestinians to Nazis. I also voted against a bill that would mandate President Biden to impose sanctions on individuals and organizations working with Iran, which would damage the global oil industry, creating severe consequences on Americans and our economy. I did vote in favor of a resolution written to condemn antisemitism at institutions of higher education; my concern for students is of the utmost importance. Yet the manner in which the resolution was written was problematic, having no mention of rising instances of Islamophobia. Throughout the country, we saw vile, Islamophobic words spewed where the Palestinian victims of the war were equated with Nazis. There is a moral responsibility to center our approach and involvement in the Israeli-Hamas war around safeguarding innocent human lives - both Israeli and Palestinian and an obligation for Israel to follow the laws of war. The U.S. must be a beacon of justice and hope, and together with allies, work for sustainable peace in the region that uplifts the dignity of Israelis and Palestinians alike. Unfortunately, the legislation put forth by  Conservatives falls woefully short at a time of great instability. I take my role and position profoundly seriously, and I want to do everything possible to see both Israelis and Palestinians prosper and live in peace. It is because I am committed to a two-state solution that I want to ensure the United States engages strategically.
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Dear [salutation],


I wanted to reach out and talk to you about what’s been occurring in the House of Representatives.


On October 7th, Hamas attacked Israel, igniting what has become one of the most devastating wars we’ve witnessed in years. Over 1,400 Israelis were murdered or burned alive with more than 250 taken hostage, and nearly 9,000 Palestinians (3,600 of them children) have been killed by Israeli Defense Forces. As the war continues, this volatile situation requires a sober approach, something Conservatives have been lacking. For the first three weeks of this conflict, Conservatives could not agree on who would lead the House of Representatives and choose a Speaker. On October 20th, President Biden called on Congress to pass a supplemental bill – a bill that contains emergency funding – to advance our critical national security priorities. In it, he requested funds to support Israel’s defense against terrorism from Hamas, defend Ukraine, provide humanitarian assistance, ensure military readiness, and more. The Right ignored these requests and provided their own bill in response.


I voted against the version of the Israel supplemental bill crafted by my Conservative colleagues. This bill could not have been more reckless or unserious. It takes the unprecedented step of binding aid for Israel's defense to the effort by Conservatives to shield the wealthiest American tax cheats. It also completely fails to fund humanitarian support when and where it is needed most, does not include any funding to counter Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, nor does it work toward ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. They are wasting precious time prioritizing messaging bills instead of engaging in the hard work of legitimate governing.


I also voted against several other Conservative bills that were dangerously broad or misleading. One resolution insinuated US support for potential military action in Iran and the other bill failed to recognize the humanitarian need in Gaza, with a sponsor comparing innocent Palestinians to Nazis. I also voted against a bill that would mandate President Biden to impose sanctions on individuals and organizations working with Iran, which would damage the global oil industry, creating severe consequences on Americans and our economy.


I did vote in favor of a resolution written to condemn antisemitism at institutions of higher education; my concern for students is of the utmost importance. Yet the manner in which the resolution was written was problematic, having no mention of rising instances of Islamophobia. Throughout the country, we saw vile, Islamophobic words spewed where the Palestinian victims of the war were equated with Nazis.


There is a moral responsibility to center our approach and involvement in the Israeli-Hamas war around safeguarding innocent human lives - both Israeli and Palestinian and an obligation for Israel to follow the laws of war. The U.S. must be a beacon of justice and hope, and together with allies, work for sustainable peace in the region that uplifts the dignity of Israelis and Palestinians alike. Unfortunately, the legislation put forth by  Conservatives falls woefully short at a time of great instability. 


I take my role and position profoundly seriously, and I want to do everything possible to see both Israelis and Palestinians prosper and live in peace. It is because I am committed to a two-state solution that I want to ensure the United States engages strategically.

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