NORPAC recently hosted an event for Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) at the home of Drs. Mort and Esther Fridman in Teaneck. This is the second NORPAC event for Royce, who was previously hosted by Howard Jonas in Riverdale in October. He is the current Chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee who, along with Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), sponsored the Nuclear Iran Prevention Act of 2013, which passed by an overwhelming 400-20 vote in the House of Representatives earlier this year.

During the event, Congressman Royce spoke with attendees about concerns over the current U.S.-Iran negotiations. He explained that while sanctions in the House passed in July, the Senate has been met with pressure from the Obama Administration to hold off on getting out their version of the bill. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) are looking to introduce legislation that would impose harsher sanctions in the event that Tehran reneges on its deal to halt enrichment for the planned six-month interim negotiating period. NORPAC has been urging its members to contact Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to continue his strong support of Iran sanctions by allowing Senators Menendez and Kirk to bring the bill to the Senate floor.

Royce also discussed his position in combating radicalism in the Middle East. He previously authored bipartisan legislation that cuts aid to the Palestinian Authority unless it ceases its agitation against Israel. He speaks often of his father who, as a member of General Patton’s 3rd Army, liberated the concentration camps at Dachau. Among prisoners at that camp was host Mort Fridman’s father, Reuven Fridman.

Ed Royce is continuing his leadership speaking out in support of Israel in the House of Representatives. He has been outspoken on the need to check Iranian aggression and halt its nuclear weapons program. Royce has also been a leader in bringing attention to anti-Israel rhetoric and votes in the United Nations.  He and his staff have traveled extensively to Israel.  This event for Ed Royce marks NORPAC’s final event of the year before Congress goes on recess for the holidays.