Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024

Floor Speech

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Mr. CLYDE. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act which provides $14.3 billion in critical military assistance to our great ally, Israel, while also replenishing our own defense stockpiles and ensuring the safe return of American citizens impacted by Hamas' barbaric terrorist attack on Israel.

On October 7, Iran-backed Hamas terrorists committed heinous attacks on the people of Israel. In the days following this savage onslaught, the world has watched in horror as images and reports reveal the vile depths of Hamas' depravity. These terrorists have perpetrated barbaric, sadistic, and evil acts against innocent Israelis, including burning and decapitating babies, raping women, abducting families, and murdering over 1,400 people.

Tragically, more than 30 Americans were also murdered by Hamas in Israel on that day while several Americans remain held hostage by the terrorists in Gaza. In response to these atrocities, the Israel Security Supplemental reinforces Israel's defense systems by providing $4 billion to replenish the Iron Dome and David's Sling missile defense systems, $3.5 billion for the procurement of advanced weapons systems, and $1.2 billion for the Iron Beam defense system to counter short- range rockets and mortar threats.

This is not time for a cease-fire or a pause in any way, Mr. Speaker. This is a time to crush Hamas, eliminate their leadership, and obliterate their fighters. I am so thankful that there is humanitarian aid here that could possibly get into the hands of Hamas.

This bill will help Israel do exactly what it needs to do, and that is defend itself. This bill also provides 200 million for the protection of U.S. personnel in Israel and evacuations of U.S. citizens to ensure that Americans can return safely to the United States.

Finally, under Speaker Johnson's leadership, this bill is fully offset by a rescission of IRS funding taken out of the reckless inflation expansion act. This commonsense solution ensures that we can assist our strongest ally in the Middle East without further burdening American taxpayers by irresponsibly borrowing millions of dollars. I ask my colleagues to support this bill.

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