U.S. Reps. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) and Darrell Issa (R-CA) recently led a bipartisan congressional delegation on visits to Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon, which included stops at Syrian refugee camps and meetings with dignitaries.
Comstock and Issa discussed collaborative efforts to confront ISIS and other extremist groups with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. They also visited schools in Lebanon impacted by an influx of school-aged refugees, and discussed regional issues and fallout from the refugee crisis with Jordanian Prime Minister Hani al-Mulki during the congressional delegation.
“As believers around the world observed Holy Week, I appreciated the opportunity to visit and hear from those who serve our fellow man — our military men and women and national security leaders, our State Department and diplomatic leaders, and our humanitarian partners serving the refugee population,” Comstock said. “The work they have done is extraordinary and it was instructive to see how they work together to meet the challenges of the refugee population and the region, and to bring more stability to the Mideast.”
The delegation also visited Syrian refugee camps in Zahle, Lebanon and Azraq, Jordan. In Jordan the group also spent time at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) refugee registration center in Amman.
“We met with the mothers, fathers, teachers, health care providers and children at the refugee camps and heard from them about life in these camps and the desire of the refugees to be able to go home, and the vital support they still need,” Comstock said. “It’s clear that America’s leadership in the region is essential to marshal the international community, and our allies and strategic partners — in order to restore stability and reinvigorate our common goal of eliminating the threat of ISIS and terrorism.”
Members of the delegation also visited the Beirut Memorial in Lebanon to honor the U.S. servicemembers killed in the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing. They also met with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri to discuss efforts to help stabilize the country.
“I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to see the impact of the refugee crisis first-hand and for the chance to continue a dialogue with our partners throughout the Middle East on how we can address these challenges head on,” Issa said.
“The world is facing the largest refugee crisis of our era and it needs America’s leadership. I look forward to continuing work with the international community, our allies, and partners in the Middle East to restore stability and work together towards our common goal of eliminating the threat of ISIS and radical terror,” he said.
The bipartisan congressional delegation also included U.S. Reps. Juan Vargas (D-CA) and Claudia Tenney (R-NY).