Durbin Urges Congress To Pass The President's National Security Supplemental Funding Request

Floor Speech

"And Secretary Blinken [at the Appropriations Committee hearing] added that such assistance is critical in thwarting not just Putin, but aggressors around the world who are watching and gauging our sustained commitment. I agree completely. Looking at the world today, I do not believe it is a stretch to say freedom is currently under siege and fighting forits future. Right now, several democracies across the globe are fighting against tyrannical powers--in some cases, autocratic governments; in others, terrorist organizations--that seek to undermine the global order. But this much is clear: Democratic values are under siege, and the United States and our generation has a responsibility to act.

[The supplemental] includes money to help supply Ukraine with weapons to continue its brave fight against Russian aggression. It includes money to help Israel defend itself against Hamas, which on October 7th perpetrated the largest attack against Jews in any single day since the Holocaust. And importantly, it also includes billions of dollars to support humanitarian needs across those conflict zones and the world, including as the crisis grows in Gaza. Because as important as it is to support nations like Ukraine in their struggle against tyranny, it is equally as important to support innocent civilians who so often become collateral damage and bear the brunt of suffering during periods of conflict.

Right now, the global community faces profound challenges--the outcomes of which will reverberate to every corner of the world for decades to come. As a global superpower, America has a central role to play in defending freedom. It is not only the right thing to do, but the smart thing to do."

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