House Speaker Ryan: My first trip as speaker will be to Israel

House Speaker Paul Ryan, the third in line to the presidency, takes the podium at AIPAC and vows that “My first trip as Speaker of the House, my first trip will be to return to Israel.”

He promises to keep Israel and the relationship safe from his perch at the House of Representatives.

“I can pledge to you here tonight that as long as I am Speaker of the House we will not allow any legislation that divides our countries to come to the floor for any consideration.”

Congress is no small part of the US-Israel relationship, he notes. Congress gave the emergency funding for Iron Dome in 2014, he notes, and “every penny of our security commitments” were funded within weeks of his own taking over of the speakership.

“It is actions and deeds that build trust. America is not safer when we back away from Israel. America is safer when we stand with Israel.”

In a veiled criticism of the Obama White House, the former Republican VP candidate against Obama tells the 18,000 delegates in DC: “My colleagues and I will do everything we can to strengthen our friendships not just with words but with concrete achievements. No taking friendships for granted, no leaving them in the lurch. A friend is a priority.”