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Almost two dozen liberal Democrats on Thursday asked House Speaker John Boehner to postpone Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to a joint meeting of Congress next month.

"It appears that you are using a foreign leader as a political tool against the President," the lawmakers wrote in a letter to Boehner.

Netanyahu's speech is controversial because it comes as the Obama administration is negotiating with Iran over that country's nuclear program negotiations that Netanyahu says could put Israel at risk. The speech is also set just two weeks before Netanyahu faces voters at home for re-election.

Republicans are pushing tougher sanctions on Tehran. Boehner did not consult with the White House before inviting Netanyahu.

"This appears to be an attempt to promote new sanctions legislation against Iran that could undermine critical negotiations," the Democrats wrote.

Generally speaking, the lawmakers who signed the letter are among the most left-leaning Democrats, representing 12 percent of their party's House membership. It was written by Democratic Reps. Keith Ellison of Minnesota, Steve Cohen of Tennessee and Maxine Waters of California and signed by 20 others.

"Support for the State of Israel in Congress has always been bipartisan, and it should remain so," Boehner spokesman Michael Steel said.

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Liberal Democrats Ask Boehner to Postpone Netanyahu Address

Three progressive House Democrats -- Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota, Rep. Maxine Waters of California and Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee -- have been circulating a letter to fellow Democrats for weeks, but on the final letter delivered on Thursday they secured support from just a small fraction of the 188 House Democrats. Those who signed are among the most liberal members of the Democratic caucus.

"The timing of this invitation and lack of coordination with the White House indicate that this is not an ordinary diplomatic visit. Rather this appears to be an attempt to promote new sanctions legislation against Iran that could undermine critical negotiations between the P5+1 and Iran," the letter states.

Congressional Democrats have tried to focus their ire on Boehner, who invited Netanyahu before consulting first with the White House. The letter does not say these members are planning to boycott the speech, but some of those who signed on -- such as Ellison and Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer -- have already announced they won't attend if Netanyahu does speak on the House floor.

The speech presents a dilemma for congressional Democrats. Most emphasize they are strong supporters of Israel, but feel it's inappropriate for a foreign leader to deliver such a high profile address just two weeks before an election in his home country.

Iran sanctions legislation has passed the House with an overwhelming bipartisan vote in the last Congress, but many Democrats say the negotiations could be put at risk if sanctions were pursued now. The low number of members willing to go on the record on the speech signals that the majority of Democrats, although critical of Boehner's invitation and the timing, will likely attend.

Boehner's office says plans for the speech are moving forward.

"Support for the State of Israel in Congress has always been bipartisan, and it should remain so," Boehner's spokesman Michael Steel told CNN.

Earlier this month Israeli officials acknowledged that they were considering changing the plans for the speech before Congress, and discussed the possibility of relocating it to another venue in Washington, D.C. But soon after those discussions surfaced Netanyahu announced in a televised event he remained committed to coming to the U.S. Capitol, and that he planned to discuss his concerns with the U.S. negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program.

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Small group of House Dems press Boehner to postpone Netanyahu speech

Almost two dozen Democrats signed a letter to House Speaker John Boehner asking him to delay Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus planned address to Congress. Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters

WASHINGTON Almost two dozen liberal Democrats on Thursday asked House Speaker John Boehner to postpone Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus address to a joint meeting of Congress next month.

It appears that you are using a foreign leader as a political tool against the President, the lawmakers wrote in a letter to Boehner.

Netanyahus speech is controversial because it comes as the Obama administration is negotiating with Iran over that countrys nuclear program negotiations that Netanyahu says could put Israel at risk. The speech is also set just two weeks before Netanyahu faces voters at home for re-election.

Republicans are pushing tougher sanctions on Tehran. Boehner did not consult with the White House before inviting Netanyahu.

This appears to be an attempt to promote new sanctions legislation against Iran that could undermine critical negotiations, the Democrats wrote.

Generally speaking, the lawmakers who signed the letter are among the most left-leaning Democrats, representing 12 percent of their partys House membership. It was written by Democratic Reps. Keith Ellison of Minnesota, Steve Cohen of Tennessee and Maxine Waters of California and signed by 20 others.

Support for the State of Israel in Congress has always been bipartisan, and it should remain so, Boehner spokesman Michael Steel said.

Excerpt from:
Democrats to Boehner: Postpone Netanyahu speech

President Obama #39;s Immigration Announcement [Full Speech]
Immigration Reform 2014 News: In an address from the White House, President Obama chose confrontation over conciliation as he asserted the powers of the Oval. President Obama Speech on ...

By: Koeman Karr

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President Obama's Immigration Announcement [Full Speech] - Video

Latin American governments expressed disappointment this week over a Texas judges decision to temporarily halt the rollout of President Obamas executive action to shield millions of undocumented immigrants from deportation. Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala issued statements Tuesday regarding Judge Andrew Hanens injunction on the expansion of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which was scheduled to begin accepting applications Wednesday, as well as the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) program, planned for May.

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson confirmed Tuesday that both programs would be suspended while the White House appealed the decision. The existing 2012 DACA program remains in place.

Mexicos foreign ministry released a statement noting that it lamented the judges decision, and warned Mexicans in the U.S. not to fall for scams that could proliferate in the wake of confusion caused by the ruling. Mexicans, who make up the majority of the U.S. immigrant population, have been the largest group of beneficiaries of President Obamas executive action on immigration thus far. Immigrants from Mexico make up about 65 percent of those enrolled in the 2012 DACA program, which grants work authorizations and deportation relief for young immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children.

Guatemala issued a similar statement of regret. The Guatemalan government profoundly laments the decision suspending the enforcement of immigration measures approved by the U.S. presidency that benefits the Guatemalan community, the foreign relations ministry said Tuesday.

Marvin Ponce, an adviser to Honduras president, criticized the political undercurrents of the decision, calling it evidence that there are political sectors fighting to torpedo decisions that alleviate social and economic pressures that overwhelm our countries, local media reported.

El Salvadors government also said it would back a prompt search for measures that promote migratory stability for all migrants that adhere to U.S. standards and whose work contributes to the economy of the country.

Migrants from Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras made up the bulk of unauthorized border crossers last summer in what the Obama administration deemed a humanitarian crisis. More than 67,000 unaccompanied children and 66,900 family units entered the country through the U.S.-Mexico border in fiscal year 2014. Congressional Republicans attributed the surge to the 2012 DACA program, saying rumors of leniency fueled unauthorized migration, but Democrats and immigration advocates said pervasive gang violence in Central America was largely responsible for the influx.

Earlier this year, the Obama administration carved out $1 billion of its 2015 budget to enhance security in those three Central American countries to stem the flow of unauthorized migration. It also launched an in-country refugee processing program in those countries to reunite children who qualify for refugee status with parents living in the U.S.

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Immigration Reform: Mexico, Central American Governments ...