Lawmakers blast Biden Gaza port plan as political move to win back progressives

House Republicans are accusing President Biden of putting American lives at risk for political reasons with his plan to build a temporary floating port off the Gaza coast.

President Biden announced at his State of the Union address the U.S. military would build a temporary floating port off Gaza's coast. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Though the administration announced it would not require American troops to set foot in Gaza, lawmakers raised concerns about their proximity to the war zone.

"It is clearly putting our troops in harm's way," Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., a member of the House Armed Services Committee, told Fox News Digital earlier this week. "[Biden] doesn't seem to understand their hatred for the American soldiers, sailors and airmen and Marines, and if he puts them within range of Iranian proxies’ rockets, then Iranians proxy rockets are going to be flying at our people.

"I think it's got more to do with his politics and trying to appease a faction of the Democratic Party."

Rep. Pat Fallon, R-Texas, who is also on the committee, chalked up the Gaza port plan to Michigan Democrats’ backlash against Biden in the recent primary election. Arab and Muslim leaders in the state urged voters to choose "uncommitted" instead of the president in protest of him not taking a harsher public stance against Israel.

US ARMY BOATS DEPART FOR GAZA ON MISSION TO BUILD FLOATING PIER FOR FOOD DELIVERIES

Dozens of Palestinians were killed and at least 280 were wounded when they were fired upon during a humanitarian aid delivery in Gaza City last month. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Essa, File)

Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, also accused Biden of launching the Gaza port effort for political reasons.

"He's doing that, in my opinion, because he had a lot of uncommitted voters out there. These American Palestinians that could vote for him are saying, ‘What the hell, you ain't supporting us enough.’ So, he's going to try to do what government does, throw some money at it," Nehls said.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP 

Biden made his announcement as the U.S. joined other countries in airdropping aid into Gaza. 

"Tonight, I’m directing the U.S. military to lead an emergency mission to establish a temporary pier in the Mediterranean on the Gaza coast that can receive large ships carrying food, water, medicine and temporary shelters," Biden said during the State of the Union March 7. "No U.S. boots will be on the ground.

"This temporary pier would enable a massive increase in the amount of humanitarian assistance getting into Gaza every day.  But Israel must also do its part. Israel must allow more aid into Gaza and ensure that humanitarian workers aren’t caught in the cross fire."

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment for this story but did not immediately hear back.

Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital leading coverage of the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News.

Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com

Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content.

Subscribed

You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/lawmakers-blast-biden-gaza-port-plan-as-political-move-to-win-back-progressives