Vice President Kamala Harris to Miss Netanyahu’s Joint Address to Congress; Sen. Ben Cardin to Preside

In a noteworthy deviation from customary practice, Vice President Kamala Harris will not be presiding over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's scheduled joint address to Congress on Wednesday. Instead, Senator Ben Cardin, a Democrat from Maryland, will fulfill this role, as confirmed by two Congressional aides in an NBC News report on Monday.

Reason for the Vice President’s Absence

Traditionally, the Vice President of the United States presides over such joint sessions of Congress. However, Harris will be engaged in her presidential campaign activities, which she officially launched on Sunday. This follows President Joe Biden's unexpected withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race and his subsequent endorsement of Harris as the Democratic nominee. Despite her absence from the Congressional address, Harris is expected to have a separate meeting with Netanyahu during his visit.

NBC News has reached out to Harris' office for an official comment regarding her absence from the joint session.

Sen. Ben Cardin to Preside

Senator Ben Cardin will preside over the joint address, taking over from Senator Patty Murray of Washington State, who declined the invitation to oversee the event. Murray, the President pro tempore of the Senate, will also not attend the address. Her decision to abstain is linked to her concerns about the ongoing situation in Gaza.

Murray conveyed her position in a statement to NBC News, underscoring the urgency of achieving a lasting and mutual ceasefire. She expressed hope that Netanyahu would use the address to outline his strategy for securing a ceasefire and promoting lasting peace in the region. “Securing a lasting, mutual ceasefire is of the utmost importance right now,” Murray said. “I hope Prime Minister Netanyahu will use the opportunity to address how he plans to secure a ceasefire—and lasting peace in the region.”

Historical Context

The last occasion when a Senate presiding officer addressed a joint meeting or session of Congress as an Acting President Pro Tempore for a visiting dignitary was on October 18, 1989. On that date, Senator Pryor served as Acting President Pro Tempore for the address by Roh Tae Woo, President of South Korea.

Sen. Cardin’s Role and Advocacy

Senator Cardin, an Orthodox Jew, has been a prominent advocate for Israel, particularly in the aftermath of the recent escalations following Hamas' October 7 terror attacks. Cardin’s role in presiding over the joint address highlights his continued support for Israel during a time of significant international scrutiny.

Netanyahu’s Visit and Objectives

Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit aims to reinforce Israel’s relationship with the United States amidst increasing pressure to negotiate a ceasefire. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to substantial casualties, with Palestinian health officials reporting over 39,000 deaths resulting from the Israeli offensive following the Hamas attacks. Netanyahu’s visit is strategically intended to solidify bipartisan support for Israel, which is crucial given the current geopolitical context.

Before his departure for the U.S., Netanyahu affirmed that regardless of the outcome of the November presidential election, Israel would remain “America’s indispensable and strong ally in the Middle East.” He indicated his intention to meet with President Biden during his visit, although the exact timing of this meeting is uncertain due to Biden’s recovery from COVID-19. According to Reuters, the meeting is likely to be scheduled for Thursday.

Netanyahu also mentioned his aim to express gratitude to Biden for his support during the conflict, which began after Hamas launched coordinated attacks on Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and the capture of about 250 individuals.

Diplomatic and Political Implications

An Israeli government spokesperson highlighted that Netanyahu’s address to Congress is designed to “anchor the bipartisan support that is so important for Israel.” There have also been discussions regarding the possibility of Netanyahu meeting with former President Donald Trump during his visit, although these plans have not been confirmed as of Monday. Trump’s schedule suggests that Tuesday might be the only available day for such a meeting.

Nimrod Goren, a senior fellow for Israeli Affairs at the Middle East Institute, observed that Netanyahu’s visit might serve as a “closure period” for Israel’s relationship with the Biden administration. Goren suggested that Biden could use his remaining time in office to apply additional pressure on Netanyahu to secure a ceasefire, potentially influencing his legacy.

Conversely, Gershon Baskin, an Israeli adviser and mediator with Hamas, expressed doubts about Netanyahu’s regard for Biden, viewing him as a “lame duck” with diminished influence in the current political climate.

Impact on U.S. Political Landscape

Netanyahu’s visit is expected to be more restrained than initially anticipated due to the complex balance of interests and potential protests against the Gaza conflict. Prior to his departure, Netanyahu met with families of hostages held in Gaza, reaffirming Israel’s commitment to securing their release. It was confirmed that two hostages, Yagev Buchshtab, 35, and Alex Dancyg, 76, died while in captivity, with the circumstances of their deaths still under investigation by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

The IDF has continued its military operations in Gaza, including recent evacuation orders for parts of Khan Younis in response to intensified actions. The Israeli military’s strategy involves targeting what it identifies as “terror infrastructure sites” with the goal of minimizing civilian harm while addressing the ongoing conflict.

Overall, Netanyahu’s visit underscores the intricate dynamics of U.S.-Israel relations, the urgent humanitarian concerns in Gaza, and the broader geopolitical implications of the ongoing conflict in the region.