Senator to preside over Netanyahu US Congress speech, Harris traveling

23/7/2024 13:01

        The leader of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee will preside over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress on Wednesday, Senate aides said, as Vice President Kamala Harris will be traveling outside Washington.
        
        Senator Ben Cardin, the committee's Democratic chairperson, will be presiding, an aide said on Monday. Democratic Senator Patty Murray, who as president pro tempore normally would preside in the absence of Harris, said she was not attending Netanyahu's address.
        
        "Securing a lasting, mutual ceasefire is of the utmost importance right now, and I will continue to push for one to be reached as soon as possible," Murray said in a statement.
        
        She added that she hoped Netanyahu would use his speech to address how he plans to secure a ceasefire and lasting peace.