Lindsey Graham and Ted Cruz Team Up to Take on the U.N.

It seems like an unlikely new friendship has formed in Washington. On Thursday, South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham apologized to Texas Senator Ted Cruz for joking in February that it would be okay to kill Cruz on the Senate floor. The two senators have not been seemingly on the friendliest terms since last year when they both ran for the Republican presidential nomination. But when they appeared side by side in a segment on MSNBC on Thursday, it was a remarkably amiable atmosphere and both men were even giggly. “Love is everywhere,” Graham said. “I want to apologize to Ted for saying he should be killed on the Senate floor.” At least we’re not on the Senate floor now,” replied Cruz.

Also, @SenTedCruz and I spoke with @MSNBCMorningJoe about our legislation to cut off funding to the UN. WATCH: https://t.co/HhcTZBHA2H

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 13, 2017

But this new friendship is not just for fun. They joined forces because they are on the same page about a new bill that would halt American funding for the United Nations. This comes after the United Nations Security Council voted 14-0 on the proposal to condemn Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east part of Jerusalem. The U.S. abstained from voting, and immediately faced backlash from both Republicans and Democrats.

On MSNBC, Graham said that 22 percent of the money funding the UN comes from American taxpayers, and that it’s not a good idea for Americans to invest in an organization that works against the only democracy in the Middle East. “This was John Kerry and Obama taking a slap at Israel,” Graham said. He added that the UN has become increasingly anti-Semitic, and that they will stop any money from going to the organization until “this is fixed.” Cruz called Obama’s move “profoundly anti-Israel.”

Republicans filed the bill on Thursday, and if passed it will stop all U.S. funding to the U.N. unless or until the resolution is reversed. Ted Cruz said that this move was the only way to get the U.N.’s attention.

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.