Floor SpeechNeutral2026-01-30

REINTRODUCTION OF THE JUSTICE FOR SHIREEN ACT

EnvironmentForeign PolicyDefenseIsraelVeterans

Context

On 2026-01-30, Representative André Carson (D-IN-7) delivered a floor speech titled "REINTRODUCTION OF THE JUSTICE FOR SHIREEN ACT" in the House. The speech addressed the environment and also covered foreign policy, defense.

Full Text

REINTRODUCTION OF THE JUSTICE FOR SHIREEN ACT

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 22 (Friday, January 30, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 22 (Friday, January 30, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E85] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] REINTRODUCTION OF THE JUSTICE FOR SHIREEN ACT ______ HON. ANDRE CARSON of indiana in the house of representatives Friday, January 30, 2026 Mr. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to reintroduce the Justice for Shireen Act today. I thank my House Colleagues who joined me in calling for a report to Congress from the FBI and State Department, in consultation with the Attorney General, Secretary of Defense and Director of National Intelligence, on the death of American-Palestinian Journalist, Shireen Abu Akleh. I send my deep condolences to the Abu Akleh family for this terrible killing and continue to stand with them to demand justice and accountability. Shireen Abu Akleh, an American-Palestinian Journalist, was killed on May 11, 2022. She was killed while wearing a clearly marked press vest on assignment, reporting on a military raid that took place in the Israeli occupied city of Jenin. Shortly after her death, I led a letter, signed by 58 Members of Congress, to the FBI and State Department calling for an independent and open investigation led by her home country, the United States, and 24 Senators have echoed this request. More than three years later, and we still do not have answers. It is imperative that Congress receives the information needed to conduct the necessary oversight. We must ensure no taxpayer dollars contribute to human rights violations or anyone's death--most especially an American abroad. As an American, Ms. Abu Akleh was entitled to the full protections afforded to U.S. citizens living abroad. As Members of Congress, we need to uphold the values that our nation was founded on, including human rights, equality for all, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press. As Members of Congress, we have a duty to protect Americans reporting abroad. An Israeli investigation was concluded, finding that it was indeed an Israel Solider who shot Ms. Abu Akleh in her line of duty. It is the responsibility of the U.S. to learn all the unanswered questions leading up to, during and after the fatal shot that killed Ms. Abu Akleh. Additionally, this bill requires an identification of any United States defense materials or services that were implicated in the death of Ms. Abu Akleh. No U.S. weapons or military services by the U.S. should be used to kill Americans on foreign soil. American taxpayers should not be paying for any violation of human rights abroad. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in calling for justice and accountability for Shireen Abu Akleh. ____________________

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REINTRODUCTION OF THE JUSTICE FOR SHIREEN ACT Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 22 (Friday, January 30, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 22 (Friday, January 30, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E85] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] REINTRODUCTION OF THE JUSTICE FOR SHIREEN ACT ______ HON. ANDRE CARSON of indiana in the house of representatives Friday, January 30, 2026 Mr. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to reintroduce the Justice for Shireen Act today. I thank my House Colleagues who joined me in calling for a report to Congress from the FBI and State Department, in consultation with the Attorney General, Secretary of Defense and Director of National Intelligence, on the death of American-Palestinian Journalist, Shireen Abu Akleh. I send my deep condolences to the Abu Akleh family for this terrible killing and continue to stand with them to demand justice and accountability. Shireen Abu Akleh, an American-Palestinian Journalist, was killed on May 11, 2022. She was killed while wearing a clearly marked press vest on assignment, reporting on a military raid that took place in the Israeli occupied city of Jenin. Shortly after her death, I led a letter, signed by 58 Members of Congress, to the FBI and State Department calling for an independent and open investigation led by her home country, the United States, and 24 Senators have echoed this request. More than three years later, and we still do not have answers. It is imperative that Congress receives the information needed to conduct the necessary oversight. We must ensure no taxpayer dollars contribute to human rights violations or anyone's death--most especially an American abroad. As an American, Ms. Abu Akleh was entitled to the full protections afforded to U.S. citizens living abroad. As Members of Congress, we need to uphold the values that our nation was founded on, including human rights, equality for all, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press. As Members of Congress, we have a duty to protect Americans reporting abroad. An Israeli investigation was concluded, finding that it was indeed an Israel Solider who shot Ms. Abu Akleh in her line of duty. It is the responsibility of the U.S. to learn all the unanswered questions leading up to, during and after the fatal shot that killed Ms. Abu Akleh. Additionally, this bill requires an identification of any United States defense materials or services that were implicated in the death of Ms. Abu Akleh. No U.S. weapons or military services by the U.S. should be used to kill Americans on foreign soil. American taxpayers should not be paying for any violation of human rights abroad. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in calling for justice and accountability for Shireen Abu Akleh. ____________________