Steny H. Hoyer
01/09/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/09/2025 15:45
Hoyer Statement on H.R. 23
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement today after voting against H.R. 23 - Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act:
"My opposition to the International Criminal Court's decision in November to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has been clear. Israel has not committed war crimes or crimes against humanity in its war of self-defense against Hamas. Israel is a democratic nation with an independent judiciary capable of investigating and prosecuting any possible breaches in international law, and the ICC ought to abide by Rome Statute's mandate only to act when a national jurisdiction is unable or unwilling to prosecute. The ICC's actions risk eroding trust in the international justice system by undermining the autonomy of the United States, Israel, and America's other partners who have not consented to the ICC's jurisdiction.
"Although I believe the United States ought to push back against the ICC's divisive decision, I voted against legislation today that would impose sanctions on the ICC. H.R. 23's language is too sweeping, making anyone involved in the ICC's investigations - including ICC employees' family members - potential targets of U.S. sanctions. I am hopeful, however, that Democrats and Republicans can come together on more precise legislation to ensure that the ICC doesn't interfere with nations defending themselves from terrorists in accordance to international law.
"From the atrocities Hamas committed on October 7 to the war crimes Vladimir Putin's forces commit in Ukraine, the ICC ought to uphold its mandate's integrity and focus on holding these criminals accountable instead of undermining the democratic nations fighting against these perpetrators."
"My opposition to the International Criminal Court's decision in November to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has been clear. Israel has not committed war crimes or crimes against humanity in its war of self-defense against Hamas. Israel is a democratic nation with an independent judiciary capable of investigating and prosecuting any possible breaches in international law, and the ICC ought to abide by Rome Statute's mandate only to act when a national jurisdiction is unable or unwilling to prosecute. The ICC's actions risk eroding trust in the international justice system by undermining the autonomy of the United States, Israel, and America's other partners who have not consented to the ICC's jurisdiction.
"Although I believe the United States ought to push back against the ICC's divisive decision, I voted against legislation today that would impose sanctions on the ICC. H.R. 23's language is too sweeping, making anyone involved in the ICC's investigations - including ICC employees' family members - potential targets of U.S. sanctions. I am hopeful, however, that Democrats and Republicans can come together on more precise legislation to ensure that the ICC doesn't interfere with nations defending themselves from terrorists in accordance to international law.
"From the atrocities Hamas committed on October 7 to the war crimes Vladimir Putin's forces commit in Ukraine, the ICC ought to uphold its mandate's integrity and focus on holding these criminals accountable instead of undermining the democratic nations fighting against these perpetrators."