Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) expressed confidence in Israel's ability to bring "Old Testament justice" against Hamas after the terrorist group attacked the nation early Saturday.
Burchett said he does not believe the absence of a House speaker sends a message to the terrorist group or to the world about the United States's role in the war in Israel.
FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC CRISES UPEND BIDEN 2020 CAMPAIGN PROMISE OF RETURN TO STABILITY
“We're not going to do anything — the president's doing what he should be doing,” Burchett said walking into a speaker election meeting held by the GOP on Wednesday. “When they see that aircraft carrier, the largest aircraft carrier in the world off the coast, I think that's a pretty clear message where America is.”
The U.S. Defense Department, on order from President Joe Biden, directed the movement of the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the Eastern Mediterranean. This includes the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, a missile cruiser, and several missile destroyers.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the U.S. will also be "rapidly providing" additional equipment and resources to the Israel Defense Forces, including munitions.
“So in Israel, the last thing they want is America sticking their nose in the middle of this thing,” Burchett said. “They're gonna handle it and there's gonna be Old Testament justice pretty quick.”
The Hamas attack has left 1,200 Israelis dead and more than 2,700 wounded. On the Palestinian side, at least 950 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip by Israel's retaliatory airstrikes, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
Among the dead are also 22 Americans, Biden announced on Tuesday, with an undetermined number of U.S. citizens missing or likely being held hostage by Hamas.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
House Republicans are gathering on Wednesday to elect a speaker nominee, with Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) up as candidates. Burchett has not said who he is supporting for speaker.
Scalise said walking into the speaker election meeting that his first move as top House leader would be to “bring a strong resolution expressing support for Israel.”