Defense

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer House Resolution 7217, the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024. This bill provides $17.6 billion in emergency supplemental appropriations, which will provide needed military assistance to America's great ally Israel and support U.S. military forces operating in the region.

On October 7th 2023, Hamas carried out a brutal, unprovoked terrorist attack on the people of Israel. The horrific acts committed on this day resulted in 1,200 deaths, thousands injured, and 240 hostages – 136 remain in captivity, and over 30 are believed to be dead. The Israeli people are still reeling from the horrors of October 7th, but have bravely pushed their sorrow aside to root out and fight Hamas, and ensure their people are never threatened again.

Last November, the House passed a $14.3 billion supplemental to shore up our ally. That bill included:

I rise in support of the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act to provide much-needed assistance to our democratic and unwavering ally, Israel, as it combats terrorism against its citizens.

I commend my colleague, Chairman Ken Calvert, for his leadership in drafting this critical legislation, as well as Chairwoman Kay Granger. I want to thank Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise for bringing this bill to the House floor.

As Mr. Calvert just said, there has been genocide, but the genocide has been from Hamas. If the world needed yet another reminder of the importance of Israel as a safe haven for the Jewish people, then the heinous attacks on innocent men, women, children – even babies – of October 7 should be that wake-up call. This is not that complicated.

Nearly four months ago, we watched Hamas brutally attack the Israeli people. Unfortunately, the situation in the region has only gotten worse.

Israel, and now U.S. Forces, have been attacked by terrorist groups backed by Iran. Funding is needed to address the growing threats we face.

The bill before us provides a total of $17.6 billion in emergency resources. Specifically, the bill includes funding for Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Iron Beam Defense Systems and other weapons through the Foreign Military Financing program.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6126, which provides security assistance to Israel, supports the security of our embassy personnel, enables the evacuation of U.S. citizens, and strengthens the ability of our industrial base to respond to this crisis.

On October 7, Hamas terrorists carried out a barbaric attack on Israel that took the lives of more than 1,400 innocent Israelis, including 32 American citizens.

Mr. Speaker, I stand firmly behind Israel's right to defend itself and destroy the Hamas terrorist organization. The world will be a safer place once that organization is eliminated.

Last week, the House of Representatives passed House Resolution 771, a resolution which I cosponsored, by a vote of 412 to 0. That resolution reaffirms the United States' commitment to Israel's security. The bill we are considering today delivers on that commitment.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5860, a bill that keeps the government open until November 17^th.

While I would rather be here speaking on the floor about final appropriations bills, I want members to understand why passing this short-term funding bill today is so important.

First, I want to explain how we find ourselves in this situation.

Just nine months ago, when Republicans took back the Majority in the House, our commitment was to Regular Order for appropriations.

No more omnibus measures released in the dead of night. No more Christmas Eve votes on thousands of pages of text that Members of Congress had not read.

Unfortunately, there were a few stumbling blocks as we sought to change the process.

For example, the Administration's budget request was more than a month late. It then took months for the President to come to the table on the debt ceiling negotiations.

Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5692, which provides security assistance to Ukraine and funds a Special Inspector General to oversee these and other funds provided by the American taxpayers.

In 2016, the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, referred to as USAI, was created in response to increased Russian aggression. These funds, along with the National Guard's State Partnership Program with California and other efforts, have transformed the Ukrainian military from a remnant of the Soviet empire to a capable and increasingly western fighting force.

This funding is not sent directly to Ukraine.

Since 2016, these funds have been used to pay for the training U.S. troops provide Ukrainian troops and for U.S. manufactured weapons we provide to Ukraine.

Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 4365, the Fiscal Year 2024 Defense Appropriations bill, which is the result of months of hearings, briefings, and engagements by all Members of the Subcommittee.

To provide for our strong national defense, this bill recommends $826.45 billion for the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community, which is $27.8 billion above the Fiscal Year 2023 enacted level.

When I became Chairman of the Subcommittee, I made it clear to the Department they would not receive any blank checks. Any request that lacked adequate justification, was early to when the funds were needed, had unjustified cost growth, or did not directly support DOD's mission would not be funded in this bill.