McCaul Returns from Middle East with Bipartisan Delegation
WASHINGTON – House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Emeritus Michael McCaul (R-Texas) returned from a congressional delegation (CODEL) trip to the Middle East. The delegation was led by Congressman Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, and joined by Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.), ranking member of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee. The congressmembers met with heads of state, defense officials, and diplomats in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the Kingdom of Jordan.
Building on the momentum of President Trump’s recent visit to the region, the CODEL engaged with regional leaders to advance shared interests, address ongoing challenges, and reinforce America's commitment to peace in the Middle East. They also explored new opportunities for economic cooperation and investment, especially in AI and emerging technologies across Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states.
“Amidst President Trump's efforts to end the war in Gaza and secure normalization agreements, I was honored to visit several of our allies and partners in the Middle East," said Chair Emeritus McCaul. "These nations will play pivotal roles in shaping the future of the region — a future defined by peace and prosperity. I am grateful to our friends in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the Kingdom of Jordan for welcoming us, and I look forward to our continued partnership with these regional leaders as we work toward greater peace and stability across the Middle East."
“This CODEL served as a vital opportunity to strengthen our alliances, confront shared threats, and demonstrate bipartisan American leadership in support of our partners,” said Congressman Lawler. “As Chairman of the MENA Subcommittee, I remain committed to deepening U.S. engagement in the region and working with our partners to build a more secure, prosperous, and stable Middle East.”
In Riyadh, the delegation held high-level meetings with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H.E. Adel Al-Jubeir and engaged with key U.S. defense and technology companies.
On Memorial Day, while in Saudi Arabia, McCaul met with and thanked airmen from the 317th Airlift Wing out of Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, who are operating in the Central Command Area of Responsibility.
In Israel, the delegation met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and received a briefing at the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem on U.S.-Israel missile defense cooperation.
In Jordan, the delegation met His Majesty King Abdullah II and senior cabinet officials to reinforce the strategic partnership between the U.S. and Jordan.
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