 King Solomon and to come back. We want to make sure that we continue to flourish and strengthen. And the great strides that we have made, the Abraham Accords, the region has become safer, economically stronger, and we want to expand those even further. We look forward to working with any nation that wants to work with us to bring peace and prosperity. And I hope you see that in the bipartisanship in the way we deal with this. I hope you see the commitment to America, to Israel. You know, I've been here many times. Years ago, when I became leader, I sat down with then, on the other side of the aisle, another leader, in Steny Hoyer. And many times, the members would come by party over here. I said, you lead your group, I lead mine, but let's stop doing that. Let's go and interact at the same time. And you know what we found when we got here? The bond only stronger. And we went to walk out to look at different issues. And I found the Californians all teamed together, Republican and Democrat, to go see the desalination plans. That maybe we can take some technology to help our own state. We've watched that working together. So as I stand here with your next speaker at this press conference, Steny Hoyer, this is not our first time here together. We've been many times. There was one moment in time that we had about 20% of Congress with us. Look forward to continuing that. And with what we signed today, we look forward to those representatives in the Knesset coming to America and interworking with our Congress. Because when we look back 75 years from now and they think, what could Israel and America's bond look like? I hope they answer it the same way we answer today. Bigger, stronger, and better than they ever dreamed to happen. And that's what happens when we work together. With that, I want to introduce Representative Steny Hoyer, who's been a longtime friend of Israel, a longtime friend of mine. We may come from different parties, but we're both Americans and we both have the same view when it comes to Israel. Create the strongest bond possible. With that, I give you Representative Steny Hoyer. Speaker McCarthy, thank you very much for including me in this delegation. Thank you very much for bringing this delegation to Israel, to Jerusalem, to recognize the 75th anniversary. Katherine Drinker Bowen wrote a book about the miracle in Philadelphia in which she talked about the forging of our constitution, the oldest constitution in the world. If you had said to people in 1948 that you would be celebrating your 75th anniversary, they would have said, if so, it will be a miracle. And they would be right. First time I visited Israel was almost a half a century ago in 1976. I had the opportunity to meet Simone Perez, who was then, I believe, Defense Minister. And I've come back decade after decade after decade, year after year after year, and I will return in August of this year, bringing with me a large delegation. Now, we won't be coming at the same time. But what Speaker McCarthy said today about the 400 plus, that's 90% of the Congress of the United States, who stand on the words, perhaps not exactly, but Speaker McCarthy represented the sentiments, the overwhelming sentiments, the overwhelming commitment to Israel, to its people, of freedom, to peace. But we know that peace does not come free. We know that courage and commitment and willingness to fight for, and, yes, to die for, freedom, justice, and equality, as it was in 1948, is still necessary. So I'm very pleased to be here. Mr. Speaker, it was an excellent speech. You delivered it well. And it expressed the sentiment of our country. Ambassador Nines, I'm sure, as does our Deputy Chief of Mission, expressed that commitment to you regularly. But our presence here places an exclamation point on that. The Speaker spoke an exclamation point. And all of us, yes, we're Democrats, and yes, we're Republicans. But on this issue, we are your friend, your ally, and your fellow in fighting for the values we share. We've talked about those values at this meeting. Your democracy is robust. It is sometimes messy. Our democracy is robust and sometimes messy. But together, with candor and courage, we will remain the closest of allies, the closest of friends and beacons for people around the world who seek freedom, justice, equality. At the end of his speech, he asked God to bless America. And he asked God to bless Israel. God blesses both America and Israel with the people who had it, the people who are willing to fight for it. Every time I come to Israel, I am inspired, which is why I come so many times, 19 times. In August, it will be my 20th visit to Israel. And I am inspired by the country, but I am so inspired by the people. John Kennedy said, ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. No people on Earth represent that commitment to country more than the Israeli people. God blesses Israel through all of you. Thank you very much. Thank you, Stenny. Let's open up for questions. You can travel the first, Punchball. Go ahead. Thank you. What one domestic, meaning our domestic and one international, do you, any outrage from the administration in regards to the next step on the debt limit is my first and second? You cannot travel this far to ask that debt limit question. And second, do you plan to invite Netanyahu to address the joint session this year? You can't hear. You're tough to hear because of the issue. Maybe if you... Sorry, how's that better? Do you plan to invite Netanyahu for a joint session this year? I had a great meeting with the prime minister. I think the president will make sure, just as this close relationship, I know we've had a lot of different leaders coming to America. I expect the White House to invite the prime minister over for a meeting, especially with the 75th anniversary. I know the president, Herzog, will be coming soon for a joint session. I know the prime minister has already done three joint sessions. I think the president in this one will be the next joint session from Israel first. But yes. And what was your second question? Debt limit. Debt limit. The president still hasn't talked to me. I'm a little like Netanyahu. Yes. Hello. My name is Madeline Hubbard, and I'm a reporter with Just The News. Do you think that the U.S.-Israel relationship is stronger or weaker than it was two and a half years ago? Look, I think you look at us right here. We're stronger. You could talk to any individual. We just had a resolution on the floor honoring the 75th anniversary, the Abraham Accords, more than 90%. You watch this Congress that can battle back and forth, but Israel united us together. You look at what we're here together. You could ask any member back here. I think even walking away from this, they feel stronger today, and I think it'll be even stronger tomorrow. Yes, sir. Thank you very much. Amihai Stein can't tell a vision. I was wondering if you and Mr. Hoyer can comment on we've seen the administration trying to intervene in the justice reform that is going on in Israel. Even Justice Minister Yarevel Levine said earlier today that he sees that the administration is trying to intervene into the justice reform. What is your opinion? And I would be happy also to hear Mr. Hoyer on this. If I could just clarify, are you referring to administration as our administration? Yeah, Biden administration. Yeah. I'll let Cindy answer as well. Look, Israel is their own nation. Israel can decide what they want to do. But I mean, having democracies, you want to have a check and balance. You want to have separation of powers. And I think in all of our conversations, be it the president, be it the prime minister, be it members of the connected, I think everybody will agree. There's some form of reform that they believe they need to have. But we leave it up to you, your country, to figure out how to do that. It looks as those two sides are coming together, meeting with the president today under that umbrella. I know there's a lot of difference of opinions. Democracy sometimes looks rough. It could even be within our own parties. I don't know if you watch my speaker raise. Might look a little tough. But you know what? It turns out well. That's what's different than when you look at countries that don't have democracies. Won't have a say. Won't have an ability to speak up. So I think that's healthy. And we look forward to you solving your problems. I think the truth is friends give friends advice and counsel. Frankly, I've been in the Congress long enough to recall President Netanyahu coming to the Congress and give me some advice on policy. We do the same, but the speaker is correct. Ultimately, it is Israelis who will have to make their decision. And the president has convened, as I understand it, a forum to discuss differences. McCarthy was the majority leader of his house, of his party. I was the majority leader of mine. Both of us had to sit down with people of different views and try to bring them together to create consensus. It's my understanding that's the process that is going on now. We'll see the result. I'm sorry, I have no card that says names or questions. No problem. Mr. Speaker, Batti Leventhal from I-24 News, based both in Israel, the Middle East, and America. I wanted to touch on something that you've brought up a few times. There's no doubt the United States was instrumental in aiding and supporting the Abraham Accords. What country have you set your sights on next? And does Iran's rapprochement and new partnerships in the region complicate that? Look, what Iran does to complicate us is fund terrorism, to fund Hezbollah and Lebanon, continue to fund a civil war in Yemen, the militias around the region, try to set missiles to shoot at Israel. That doesn't help anyone. There is no secret that I think all the region was Saudi Arabia, such a powerhouse, and the growth that could add to the Abraham Accords as well. I think everybody in the region, we've looked at the benefits of what's happened with the Abraham Accords on both sides, economics with the people, with the tourism and others, and with security and safety. And when you look at the region itself, everyone can benefit, be it working together, sharing energy, maybe solar, maybe desalination, and others. And I think that benefits every single person in every single country for a better life and for a better future. I think everybody wants that and just working towards getting that. Sure. I just want to add, we are Democrats and Republicans here. The Trump administration accomplished the Abraham Accords working with Israel. Israel accomplished that, but we worked with them on that. And to a person, we're supportive of the Abraham Accords. We think that was an excellent policy. We have passed overwhelmingly a resolution by Mr. Schneider that we ought to pursue that. We have a resolution that is pending, asking for a special representative to make sure that the government is represented to accomplish that objective. And we have made that clear to the Israeli officials, who obviously are very enthusiastic about adding additional Arab countries. And they have a great deal of optimism about the ability to do just that. Sir. Patrick Kingsley, New York Times. In an interview yesterday with Israel Hayom, you were quoted as saying that if President Biden does not invite Prime Minister Netanyahu to the White House, you will do so to Congress. Was that quote accurate? And does that remain the case? Yes. Look, I have a long relationship with the Prime Minister, longest serving Prime Minister of Israel. I think two great nations that have strong bonds should continue and work together. I've invited President Herzog to come and give a joint session inside Congress. We're working out the day that that could come very soon, hopefully this summer. But I think for the same time, too, that the Prime Minister should come and meet with members. We had a great lunch, bipartisan lunch. And when we do that, I would invite and set with Hakeem Jeffries, who is the Democratic leader. And we would do it in a bipartisan way that we could sit down with the Prime Minister, discuss the region, discuss the challenges, and ways that we can continue to build our bond stronger together. Yes, sir? Vyacheslav Tartakovsky, Riya Novosti, Russia. We know that you don't support the current unlimited and uncontrolled supplies of weaponry and aid to Ukraine. So can you comment? Is it possible if in the near future the US policy regarding sending weaponry to Ukraine will change? I'm not sure. The sound here is not good. Did he say, I don't support aid to Ukraine? No, I vote for aid for Ukraine. I support aid for Ukraine. I do not support what your country has done to Ukraine. I do not support your killing of the children either. And I think for one standpoint, you should pull out. And I don't think it's right. And we will continue to support because the rest of the world sees it just as it is. We had the opportunity to talk for just a few minutes at the flag-raising ceremony. I share the speaker's view. Almost invariably, every time I'm in Israel, every time I wear the flag of Israel and the United States. Today, I wear the Ukrainian flag with the flag of the United States. Our country is committed to what the UN Charter says, that people cannot take land or other countries by force. What is happening in Ukraine is criminal. International crime. Women, children, elderly men are being slaughtered. A very large and very powerful country feeding a courageous people who, in my view, must win this war. And I believe the United States of America, as it is committed to Israel's freedom and security and sovereignty, it's committed to Ukraine as well. And I believe that will remain a consensus among Democrats and Republicans. Yes, ma'am, whoever's giving the mic to. In the past few years, the State Department has given tens of thousands of dollars to the Movement for Quality Government in Israel, which is one of the leading organizations in the protests against judicial reform. And before that, protests calling on Netanyahu to quit. Do you think that's an appropriate use of State Department funds? Look, I'm not familiar with this. But if it is, as you say, I would say no. But I would have to have more information. I don't think State Department should play in politics. It's not why we use our tax dollars. Yes, back over here. Arthit, I had asked Gold from CNN. Thanks for taking the question. Some of Israel's allies have expressed deep concern about certain members of this government ministers and some of the statements they've made. One minister was once convicted of inciting racism and supporting terrorism. Are you concerned about the direction of this Israeli government? And if I may, what do you say to world leaders who are concerned the US won't be able to pay its debts this summer? So you had two questions. You were talking about people in the cabinet within. Just as we decide upon our own leaders, the people get to decide upon their own leaders. There's people in the cabinet that people disagree. The great thing about a democracy, the people have a right to say and reject or promote so they can do it. On the debt ceiling, I'm concerned about the debt ceiling. I have been from the moment I became Speaker. That's why on February 1st, I went to see the president and said, we should sit down and solve this problem. Look, the debt is a big challenge for America. We're going to have to come together to solve it. We've been through this before. The only way you solve problems is you negotiate. And I'm looking forward to the president changing his mind and negotiating with us. If that's not the case, I wanted to make sure that the debt ceiling did get raised. And so we raised it before we came here. Not only did we raise it, we believe we need to make America stronger, not just in our debt but in our economy. So we put items in there that would make our economy stronger, especially when it came to energy. We'd also make the global environment better. My friend, or not my friend, this individual from Russia that asked this question, if we simply replaced Russian natural gas in Europe for one year, we would lower 218 million tons of CO2 emissions. So not only would we make the environment stronger, we'd make the world safer. God blessed us with the resources and we should be able to provide it. It'd make the economy stronger. We want to cut red tape so we could build things in America again. You may have difference of opinion on both sides, but if the Senate has a different opinion, pass a bill. How Congress works, if you just go back to Schoolhouse Rock. House pass a bill, Senate pass a bill, they can go to conference and the president can then decide. But the one thing I do know, at Schoolhouse Rock, they never told you not to negotiate. They told you to work together, and that's what we're doing. Yes, sir? I just want to, because I think it's important to say, Speaker spoke on Wall Street. He said that defaulting on our debt is not an option. I think we have universal, almost universal agreement on that proposition. I believe America will not default on its debt. We will not pass the debt ceiling that just raises it without doing something about our debt. Speaker McCarthy, Chris Mitchell with CBN News, Christian Broadcasting Network. You made a commitment in your speech that the US will not allow Iran to get a nuclear weapon. Right now, there's sense here in Israel, sometimes they may have to go it alone. Would you recommend to the administration that would join Israel militarily if they have to? One thing I've always learned is peace through strength. I think the entire region, the entire world knows an armed nuclear Iran is not a safe place to be for the world. And I think it's very clear with the people behind me as well, we will never stand to allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon. I think the rest of the world stands with us on that as well. I thank you for the opportunity to spend time with you. I appreciate the job you do. But more importantly, we all want to wish Israel a very happy 75th anniversary, and we look for 75 more years. Thank you and God bless you. My God, that's amazing. Who wrote that? The US House of Representatives speaker, Kevin McCarthy, taking questions there from the media in Jerusalem shortly after he had addressed the Israeli parliament. He is only the second active House Speaker to do as much. It's all part of the Republican Speaker's two-day visit as the head of a large bipartisan delegation. You saw them there standing behind him. He has already met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog, praising relations between the two long-time allies. And just moments ago, we heard him saying that he hopes that in 75 years' time, when people look back at the bond between Israel and the United States, it will be, quote, bigger, stronger, and better. Now, the visit comes at a time of tension between the US president and Israeli Prime Minister with Joe Biden, yet to invite Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington more than four months since he set up his right-wing coalition. With me here in the studio is our correspondent, Guy Israel. And we heard Kevin McCarthy there touching on a range of subjects. Obviously, many of them were expected overwhelming support for Israel's celebration of the 75 years of independence in this country, but also touching on some very pressing issues, including the Iranian threat, including aid to Ukraine. Break it down for us. Yes, I think a very interesting presser there, an opportunity, a rare opportunity for so many Israeli journalists, including our very own, Batya Leventhal to ask such a senior US official many interesting questions about Israel, about the US and about the world, specifically regarding Batya's question about the Abraham Accords. Saudi Arabia was indeed mentioned as the target, the possible next destination for both Israel and the US to join the Abraham Accords. But as we explained earlier, that is not likely to happen in the near future under the current political climate. Both the relations between Riyadh and Washington, very frosty at this time as Saudi Arabia renews its ties with Iran, of course, and other allies in the region. And amid the slightly tense relations, of course, we could say as well between Jerusalem and Washington, not something that Washington would like, or Biden would like to award Israel, the current Israeli government at this time. But again, stressing the fear of Iran, the danger that it poses to the region with its malign activity, something that really stood out and I think would make a lot of headlines in the world is his answer to the question from a Russian reporter. He didn't mince his words in his response, did he? Oh, no, the Russian reporter suggesting that perhaps McCarthy does not support supplying Ukraine with weapons. McCarthy was very clear about what he thinks about Russia's invasion of Ukraine mentioning, calling on this reporter, stop killing children, pull out of Ukraine. It couldn't be any clearer. And this is of course from a Republican, we also heard from the Democrat representative. So many issues unpacked there. And one that really stood out for many Israelis is of course, the question of inviting Netanyahu to the White House, whether Biden will do that. And as he said in an interview yesterday, reiterating once again, if Biden does not invite Netanyahu, not a problem. I will do so. I will invite him to Washington to speak at the house. And I think that if Biden hears those calls, he would think twice about waiting so long for Netanyahu. And I would imagine that that is something that we will see.