Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), the President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate, issued the following statement on the President’s Israel announcement:
“I am thrilled with the President’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and his plan to move the US Embassy there. When I spoke to General McMaster yesterday, I was able to ask him a number of logistical details about the move. During my conversation with the National Security Advisor, I expressed my full support for the President’s decision, which takes into careful consideration the needs of America’s allies—both in the region and around the world. I have long supported the recognition of Jerusalem as the official Israeli capital, most notably as a co-sponsor of the Jerusalem Embassy and Recognition Act, which my colleagues introduced to the Senate in January. The President’s action, which reaffirms US legislation that has been on the books since 1995, sends a clear signal that we are prepared to defend the interests of the United States and its allies.”
