Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024
Floor Speech
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Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, the United States faces two immense national security crises at one time: Russia's illegal and unjust invasion of Ukraine, and Israel's military response to the barbaric Hamas attacks on October 7.
I commend President Biden for swiftly sending a comprehensive emergency funding request to Congress to address both crises.
The President's request provides Ukraine with security assistance necessary to defend its democracy from Putin's invasion. The President also addresses the broad scope of the crisis in Israel and Gaza.
Israel deserves security after the Hamas terrorists hunted down and attacked children and families in their own homes, and right now, innocent children and families in Gaza are in immediate danger and in desperate need of humanitarian aid.
That is why it is unfortunate that a few fringe Republicans insisted on bringing this bill to the floor, a bill that President Biden says he will veto.
Why? Mr. Speaker, more than 300 bipartisan House Members voted and supported Ukraine's fight for freedom along with the Senate and the President, yet this bill eliminates urgently needed funding for Ukraine, abandoning their democracy to Russian regression.
This bill has no humanitarian aid for the Palestinians in Gaza who are suffering without access to food, water, and even safe shelter.
Mr. Speaker, for the security of both the Palestinians and Israeli families, the violence must stop, and all hostages must be released.
We must work with the United Nations and regional partners on a cease-fire that holds every party accountable. Until then, declared safe areas must be truly safe for civilians fleeing violence.
Finally, this bill ignores the bipartisan precedent of emergency appropriation bills without an offset, and theirs is no offset. In fact, the CBO says this bill would add to the deficit, cutting enforcement for tax evasion.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''
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