Congressman Ted Deutch is starting to become more of a player on the national stage.
On Thursday morning, Deutch announced that he would be speaking later in the day at the Democratic convention in Philadelphia.
“We all know this election has enormous consequences for the future of our country,” Deutch said. “For me, this election has special significance as this is the first presidential election in which my daughters will be able to cast their votes. Remembering the lessons instilled in me by my parents, I will discuss the profound choice before the American people."
Since first being elected to Congress in a special election back in 2010, Deutch has risen up the congressional ranks, mostly focusing on foreign affairs. Currently, Deutch is the ranking Democrat on the House Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee where he often teams up with Republican Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen who also represents South Florida and chairs the subcommittee.
Deutch has shown no hesitation in breaking with the Obama administration on foreign policy and was one of the most prominent Democrats who opposed the president’s nuclear deal with Iran. That’s helped endear him to his Republican colleagues on the Foreign Affairs Committee. Despite being part of the Democratic minority, Deutch has had some successes in pushing legislation through dealing with international issues.
Earlier this month, the Foreign Affairs Committee passed two bills from Deutch without opposition. Deutch offered a proposal urging the EU to “fully designate Hezbollah a terrorist organization.” Deutch also penned a bill with Ros-Lehtinen demanding a “renewed, robust, and long-term U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding to ensure Israel has the capacity to defend itself from all threats.”
“We are facing a period of unprecedented terror threats, from Orlando and San Bernardino to Paris, Istanbul, and Tel Aviv” said Deutch. “Now more than ever, the United States needs partners around the world willing and capable of assisting in weakening and destroying terror networks and keeping Americans and our allies safe. I’m proud to have introduced these bills to strengthen our security cooperation with Israel and urge the European Union to tighten its sanctions on the entire Hezbollah terror organization.”
