[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 27 (Friday, February 18, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E305]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             FULL-YEAR CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2011

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                               speech of

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 15, 2011

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1) making 
     appropriations for the Department of Defense and the other 
     departments and agencies of the Government for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 2011, and for other purposes:

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Chair, I move to strike the last word.
  I rise to oppose any effort, including the Paul Amendment (No. 523), 
which would terminate International Security Assistance Funding. I 
oppose any such attempt because cutting international security funding 
is unwise and short-sighted, and would undercut U.S. interests in the 
Middle East.
  Given the turmoil in the Middle East, it is essential that the United 
States keep its commitment to Israel's security by fully funding the $3 
billion in U.S. aid pledged to Israel for Fiscal Years 2011 and 2012.
  The dramatic events in Egypt and Tunisia underscore the importance of 
Israel to the United States and the fragility of Israel's security 
situation. At a time when Israel is facing increased security threats, 
cutting U.S. aid to Israel would send exactly the wrong message to 
Israel and its potential adversaries about the strength and reliability 
of America's commitment to Israel's security.
  Mr. Chair, international security assistance funding is not a 
``handout'' or ``giveaway'' to Israel, Egypt, Jordan, or to Pakistan. 
Rather, this investment provides several tangible benefits to the 
United States: by helping Israel maintain its qualitative military 
edge, QME, American assistance has promoted peace with Egypt and 
Jordan, and made Israel secure enough to make significant concessions 
in peace agreements with these countries and dramatic peace overtures 
to the Palestinians and to Syria; Israel's battlefield use of American 
equipment and shared know-how has helped the United States improve both 
its equipment and tactics especially while fighting two wars in Iraq 
and Afghanistan; aid to Israel also fuels economic growth here at home 
since Israel is required to spend 74 percent of U.S. aid in the United 
States, which helps create American jobs.
  Mr. Chair, while other countries in the Middle East wrestle with 
change and instability, the United States can count on Israel as our 
trusted, reliable, and democratic ally. Israel in turn must be able to 
count on the United States. Nothing will send a clearer message to 
Israel and any potential adversaries of America's unshakeable 
commitment than defeating any and all attempts to terminate security 
funding for Israel.

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