Hoyer Statement on Coalition Airstrikes Against Houthis in Yemen

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement today on the coalition airstrikes against Houthis in Yemen: 

“Ever since Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists launched their devastating terror attacks on Israel on October 7, the Biden-Harris Administration has repeatedly and unambiguously issued a warning to Iran and its proxies, including the Houthi rebels, Hezbollah, and others in the region who might seek to expand the scale of this war: don't. The Houthi rebels in Yemen did not heed that warning. For weeks, they have attacked U.S. Navy ships, Royal Navy vessels, and commercial shipping targets in the Red Sea to support Hamas and its war against Israel. These attacks have affected more than 50 nations and, for the first time in history, have involved the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles. The Houthis did not stop even after receiving a final multilateral warning from the United States and 13 allies and partners last week.

“Earlier this week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the Houthis, 'there will be consequences.' I support President Biden's decision to deliver on that promise by striking strategic Houthi targets in Yemen last night in coordination with our British allies and with the backing of Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands.
 
“The Biden-Harris Administration's decisive action was the best remaining option to uphold our national security and contain the scope of a war that neither we, nor Israel, wanted or started. It is imperative that Congress secures aid for Israel in its fight against Hamas so that we can deter Iran and its proxies from carrying out the attacks that require these retaliatory strikes. We must send an unmistakable message to those trying to exploit this war: Israel has the right to defend itself. When America warns that there will be consequences for attacks against our allies and our men and women in uniform, we honor our word to protect them.”