OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Iron Dome Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022

Floor Speech

Date: Sept. 23, 2021
Location: Washington, DC

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mrs. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill. There are serious votes, and then there are messaging votes. A messaging vote is designed for attack ads.

That is exactly what we saw on the floor yesterday. The motion to recommit, a parliamentary action, has been turned into a dishonest attack and framed as a vote against the security of Israel.

I am a Democrat, and I remain firm in my commitment and appreciation for Israel's legitimate right to self-defense, and I remind everyone again that the motion to recommit just sends the bill back to committee.

According to the memorandum of understanding between Israel and the United States reached in 2016, for fiscal years 2019 through 2028, the United States is expected to provide $500 million every year for missile defense. That has not changed.

Funding for the Iron Dome was never in jeopardy. In fact, President Biden has pledged to replenish the Iron Dome funding system, and Congress will approve it following the correct legislative action.

A motion to recommit is a procedural vote that sends a bill back to committee. That is all it does. My Republican colleagues have shown time and time again that when we have to take actual votes, they vote against Israel.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mrs. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, on July 1 the Appropriations Committee voted on H.R. 4373, which contains the bulk of Israel aid, $3.3 billion in security assistance. Every Republican voted ``no.''

On July 13, the Appropriations Committee voted on H.R. 4432, which includes $500 million in missile defense. Every Republican voted ``no.''

So let's be honest about what is happening here. We have consistently voted to support our allies in Israel.

I end by saying, being pro-Israel and expressing concern for Palestinian rights are not mutually exclusive. I will continue to challenge myself and my colleagues and ask the difficult questions in an effort to work toward a solution. I urge a ``yes'' vote.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT


Source
arrow_upward