U.S. House Minority Leader Pelosi to Lead Delegation to Israel, Jordan

The Democratic Minority leader in the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, will lead a delegation of ten other fellow House Democrats on a trip to Israel and Jordan on Saturday.

The trip is to focus on "global and regional security and cooperation issues," a statement by Pelosi's office said, as quoted in Politico.

“There is no greater political accomplishment in the 20th century than the establishment of the State of Israel,” the statement added. “Our delegation is pleased to be able to extend the congratulations of the American people to the people of Israel as we celebrate the 70th anniversary of Jewish state this spring.”

Israeli Independence Day begins on the evening of April 18.

Among the other members of the delegation are two members of the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Adam Schiff, who like Pelosi is from California, and Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut.

“In Jordan, our delegation travels at a vital time in the U.S. relationship with this key ally,” Pelosi said. “Members are particularly interested in reviewing the Syrian refugee and humanitarian challenges as well as addressing other critical challenges facing the region.”

Politico noted that "tensions between the U.S. and Jordan have been inflamed in recent months after President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and announced plans to relocate the U.S. embassy there from Tel Aviv." More recently, however, in February the United States agreed to boost financial aid to Jordan. Under the new agreement, the amount of foreign assistance to Jordan will grow to $1.2 billion per year, an annual increase of more than $200 million.

• 'Progressives Welcome' AIPAC Is All Just Gaslighting
• Jordan's Stability at Stake as Fury Over Economic Hardship Rages
• Democratic Leader Pelosi Condemns Antifa After Berkeley Violence

No Republican members of the House of Representatives are joining Pelosi's delegation.