Houston Daily

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Emeritus Michael McCaul has returned from a congressional delegation trip to the Middle East. The delegation was led by Congressman Mike Lawler, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, and included Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, ranking member of the same subcommittee. They met with heads of state, defense officials, and diplomats in Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Jordan.

The trip aimed to build on President Trump's recent visit to the region. The delegation engaged with regional leaders to advance shared interests, address ongoing challenges, and reinforce America's commitment to peace in the Middle East. Discussions also covered new opportunities for economic cooperation and investment 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."

Congressman Lawler stated that “this CODEL served as a vital opportunity to strengthen our alliances” as well as confront shared threats while demonstrating bipartisan American leadership.

In Riyadh, meetings were held with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H.E. Adel Al-Jubeir along with key U.S. defense and technology companies. On Memorial Day in Saudi Arabia, McCaul met airmen from Dyess Air Force Base operating in Central Command's area.

In Israel, they met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for discussions on missile defense cooperation at the U.S embassy in Jerusalem.

In Jordan, talks were held with King Abdullah II alongside senior cabinet officials to reinforce strategic partnerships between both countries.