Schumer: Don’t prejudge Netanyahu appearance

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said people should avoid “prejudging” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s appearance before Congress next week and wait to hear what he has to say.

Netanyahu is expected to speak out against the U.S. pursuit of a nuclear deal with Iran, a major Obama administration goal.

{mosads}”I want to hear what the prime minister says,” Schumer said while appearing on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” “He’ll outline what he thinks appropriate deal is. I want to see what the administration comes up with, if they can come up with a deal. But I think there is a lot of prejudging. There is a lot of rumors. And there is a lot of name calling, none of which is productive at such a crucial time in our history.”

While Netanyahu’s speech has been a flashpoint in Congress for weeks, there were signs on Thursday that the debate might be moving away from its political implications.

On Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said that they would meet with Netanyahu during his visit.

Still, more than two dozen Democratic lawmakers are expected not to attend the speech. Vice President Biden will miss it as well, since he is scheduled to travel to Central America next week.