[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 181 (Thursday, November 2, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H5297-H5306]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ISRAEL SECURITY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024
Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 838, I call up
the bill (H.R. 6126) making emergency supplemental appropriations to
respond to the attacks in Israel for the fiscal year ending September
30, 2024, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate
consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 838, the bill
is considered read.
The text of the bill, as amended, is as follows:
H.R. 6126
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the
following sums are appropriated, out of any money in the
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes, namely:
TITLE I
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide
(including transfer of funds)
For an additional amount for ``Operation and Maintenance,
Defense-Wide'', $4,400,000,000, to remain available until
September 30, 2025, to respond to the attacks in Israel:
Provided, That such amounts may be transferred to accounts
under the headings ``Operation and Maintenance'' and
``Procurement'' for replacement of defense articles from the
stocks of the Department of Defense, and for reimbursement
for defense services of the Department of Defense and
military education and training, provided to Israel or
identified and notified to Congress for provision to Israel:
Provided further, That funds transferred pursuant to the
previous proviso shall be merged with and available for the
same purposes and for the same time period as the
appropriations to which the funds are transferred: Provided
further, That the Secretary of Defense shall notify the
congressional defense committees of the details of such
transfers not less than 15 days before any such transfer:
Provided further, That upon a determination that all or part
of the funds transferred from this appropriation are not
necessary for the purposes provided under this heading, such
amounts may be transferred back and merged with this
appropriation: Provided further, That any transfer authority
provided under this heading is in addition to any other
transfer authority provided by law: Provided further, That
such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency
requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as
amended.
PROCUREMENT
Procurement of Ammunition, Army
For an additional amount for ``Procurement of Ammunition,
Army'', $801,400,000, to remain available until September 30,
2026, to respond to the attacks in Israel: Provided, That
such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency
requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as
amended.
Weapons Procurement, Navy
For an additional amount for ``Weapons Procurement, Navy'',
$10,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2026, to
respond to the attacks in Israel: Provided, That such amount
is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement
pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget
and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended.
Missile Procurement, Air Force
For an additional amount for ``Missile Procurement, Air
Force'', $38,600,000, to remain available until September 30,
2026, to respond to the attacks in Israel: Provided, That
such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency
requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as
amended.
Procurement, Defense-Wide
For an additional amount for ``Procurement, Defense-Wide'',
$4,000,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2026,
for the Secretary of Defense to provide to the Government of
Israel for the procurement of the Iron Dome and David's Sling
defense systems to counter short-range rocket threats:
Provided, That such funds shall be transferred pursuant to an
exchange of letters and are in addition to funds provided
pursuant to the U.S.-Israel Iron Dome Procurement Agreement,
as amended: Provided further, That nothing under this
heading shall be construed to apply to amounts made available
in prior appropriations Acts for the procurement of the Iron
Dome and David's Sling defense systems: Provided further,
That such amount is designated by the Congress as an
emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of
the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of
1985, as amended.
RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST AND EVALUATION
Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Defense-Wide
(including transfers of funds)
For an additional amount for ``Research, Development, Test
and Evaluation, Defense-Wide'', $1,350,000,000, to remain
available until September 30, 2025, to respond to the attacks
in Israel, of which $1,200,000,000 shall be for the Secretary
of Defense to provide to the Government of Israel for the
development of the Iron Beam defense system to counter short-
range rocket threats: Provided, That such funds shall be
transferred pursuant to an exchange of letters: Provided
further, That nothing in the preceding proviso shall be
construed to apply to amounts made available in prior
appropriations Acts for the development of the Iron Beam
defense system: Provided further, That such amounts may be
transferred to ``Procurement, Defense-Wide'' for the
production of such system: Provided further, That the
Secretary of
[[Page H5298]]
Defense shall notify the congressional defense committees of
the details of such transfers not less than 15 days before
any such transfer: Provided further, That upon a
determination that all or part of the funds transferred from
this appropriation are not necessary for the purposes
provided under this heading, such amounts may be transferred
back and merged with this appropriation: Provided further,
That any transfer authority provided under this heading is in
addition to any other transfer authority provided by law:
Provided further, That such amount is designated by the
Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section
251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit
Control Act of 1985, as amended.
GENERAL PROVISIONS--THIS TITLE
Sec. 101. Section 12001 of the Department of Defense
Appropriations Act, 2005 (Public Law 108-287), as amended by
Public Law 115-141, is amended as follows:
(1) In paragraph (2) of subsection (a), by striking
``armor'' and all that follows through the end of the
paragraph and inserting ``defense articles that are in the
inventory of the Department of Defense as of the date of
transfer, are intended for use as reserve stocks for Israel,
and are located in a stockpile for Israel as of the date of
transfer'';
(2) In subsection (b), by striking ``at least equal to the
fair market value of the items transferred'' and inserting
``in an amount to be determined by the Secretary of
Defense''; and
(3) In subsection (c), by striking ``30'' and inserting
``15'', and by inserting ``Appropriations,'' after
``Committees on'' in both places it occurs.
Sec. 102. During fiscal year 2024, section 514(b) of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2321h(b)) shall not
apply to defense articles to be set aside, earmarked,
reserved, or intended for use as reserve stocks in stockpiles
in the State of Israel.
Sec. 103. Not later than 30 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, and every 30 days thereafter through
fiscal year 2025, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination
with the Secretary of State, shall provide a written report
to the Committees on Appropriations, Armed Services, and
Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the
Committees on Appropriations, Armed Services, and Foreign
Relations of the Senate describing United States security
assistance provided to Israel since the October 7, 2023,
terrorist attack on Israel, including a comprehensive list of
the defense articles and services provided to Israel and the
associated authority and funding used to provide such
articles and services: Provided, That such report shall be
submitted in unclassified form, but may be accompanied by a
classified annex.
Sec. 104. Concurrent with any notification of assistance
made pursuant to section 506(b)(1) of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2318(b)(1)), the Secretary of Defense
shall submit a written notification to the congressional
defense committees that contains a description of the defense
articles and defense services to be furnished, including the
quantity, approximate value, and an estimate of the cost to
replace such article or an equivalent capability; and a
timeline for the delivery of such defense articles and
defense services.
TITLE II
DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND RELATED AGENCY
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Administration of Foreign Affairs
diplomatic programs
For an additional amount for ``Diplomatic Programs'',
$150,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2025,
for responding to the attacks in Israel and areas impacted by
the attacks in Israel, including for crisis response and
relocation support for Mission Israel, of which $100,000,000
shall be available until expended for Worldwide Security
Protection to sustain requirements for Mission Israel and
other United States missions affected by the attacks in
Israel: Provided, That such amount is designated by the
Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section
251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit
Control Act of 1985, as amended.
emergencies in the diplomatic and consular service
For an additional amount for ``Emergencies in the
Diplomatic and Consular Service'', $50,000,000, to remain
available until September 30, 2025, for emergency evacuation
of United States Government personnel and citizens in Israel
and in countries in the region impacted by the attacks in
Israel: Provided, That such amount is designated by the
Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section
251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit
Control Act of 1985, as amended.
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE
Funds Appropriated to the President
foreign military financing program
For an additional amount for ``Foreign Military Financing
Program'', $3,500,000,000, to remain available until
September 30, 2025, to respond to the attacks in Israel:
Provided, That funds made available under this heading in
this Act and prior Acts making appropriations for the
Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs
for fiscal year 2024, in addition to funds otherwise
available for such purposes, may be used by the Department of
State for necessary expenses for the general costs of
administering military assistance and sales, including
management and oversight of such programs and activities:
Provided further, That, to the extent that the Government of
Israel requests that funds be used for such purposes, grants
made available for Israel under this heading shall, as agreed
by the United States and Israel, be available for advanced
weapons systems, of which up to $3,500,000,000 may be
available for the procurement in Israel of defense articles
and defense services: Provided further, That any
congressional notification requirement applicable to funds
made available under this heading for Israel may be waived if
a determination is made that extraordinary circumstances
exist that impact the national security of the United States:
Provided further, That such amount is designated by the
Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section
251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit
Control Act of 1985, as amended.
GENERAL PROVISIONS--THIS TITLE
Sec. 201. (a) During fiscal year 2024, and subject to
subsection (b), section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2318(a)(1)) shall be applied by
substituting ``$2,500,000,000'' for ``$100,000,000''.
(b) Subsection (a) shall not take effect unless the
Secretary of State determines and reports to the appropriate
congressional committees that the exercise of the authority
of such subsection is necessary to respond to the situation
in Israel.
Sec. 202. Not later than 30 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to
the Committees on Appropriations a report on the proposed
uses of funds appropriated by this title to respond to the
situation in Israel: Provided, That such report shall be
updated and submitted to such Committees every 60 days
thereafter until September 30, 2025, and every 180 days
thereafter until all funds have been expended, and shall
include information detailing how estimates and assumptions
contained in previous reports have changed, including
obligations and expenditures.
TITLE III
GENERAL PROVISIONS--THIS ACT
Sec. 301. Each amount appropriated or made available by
this Act is in addition to amounts otherwise appropriated for
the fiscal year involved.
Sec. 302. No part of any appropriation contained in this
Act shall remain available for obligation beyond the current
fiscal year unless expressly so provided herein.
Sec. 303. Unless otherwise provided for by this Act, the
additional amounts appropriated by this Act to appropriations
accounts shall be available under the authorities and
conditions applicable to such appropriations accounts for
fiscal year 2024.
Sec. 304. Each amount designated in this Act by the
Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section
251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit
Control Act of 1985, as amended, shall be available (or
rescinded or transferred, if applicable) only if the
President subsequently so designates all such amounts and
transmits such designations to the Congress.
Sec. 305. Any amount appropriated by this Act, designated
by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to
section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended, and subsequently so
designated by the President, and transferred pursuant to
transfer authorities provided by this Act shall retain such
designation.
budgetary offsets
Sec. 306. (a) Rescission of Certain Balances Made
Available to the Internal Revenue Service.--Of the
unobligated balances of amounts appropriated or otherwise
made available for activities of the Internal Revenue Service
by paragraphs (1)(A)(ii), (1)(A)(iii), (1)(B), (2), (3), (4),
and (5) of section 10301 of Public Law 117-169 (commonly
known as the ``Inflation Reduction Act of 2022'') as of the
date of the enactment of this Act, $14,300,000,000 are hereby
rescinded.
(b) Classification of Budgetary Effects.--Notwithstanding
Rule 3 of the Budget Scorekeeping Guidelines set forth in the
joint explanatory statement of the committee of conference
accompanying Conference Report 105-217 and section 250(c)(8)
of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of
1985, the budgetary effects of this section shall not be
estimated--
(1) for purposes of section 251 of such act;
(2) for purposes of an allocation to the Committee on
Appropriations pursuant to section 302(a) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974; and
(3) for purposes of paragraph (4)(C) of section 3 of the
Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 as being included in an
appropriation Act.
This Act may be cited as the ``Israel Security
Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The bill shall be debatable for 1 hour,
equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member
of the Committee on Appropriations, or their respective designees.
The gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Granger) and the gentlewoman from
Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro) each will control 30 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Granger).
General Leave
Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
[[Page H5299]]
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Texas?
There was no objection.
Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6126, the bill that will
provide additional support for Israel.
Earlier this month, we saw Hamas carry out its evil attack on the
Israeli people. Now more than ever, we must stand firm with our great
ally and do all we can to ensure Israel has what it needs to defend
itself. The bill before us provides $14.3 billion in emergency funding
for such a need in military assistance.
The funding will cover everything requested by the Israelis.
Specifically, the bill includes funding for Iron Dome, David's Sling,
the Iron Beam defense system, advanced weapons systems and services
through the foreign military financing program and procurement of
ammunition.
To ensure that our support does not impact our own military
readiness, the bill provides $4.4 billion to replenish the items that
were sent to Israel. Funds are also provided for the Secretary of
Defense, personnel, and the safe return of American citizens.
This is the first step in the process, and I urge my colleagues to
join me in supporting the bill so we can find a way to get funds to
Israel as soon as possible.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, we live with deepening crises around the world, and
America's leadership is being challenged like at no other juncture in
our history. You can be sure Putin is watching. Ayatollah Khamenei is
watching. Are they going to see a united and strong America that shows
why we are admired and why we are exceptional?
This Congress is called to respond to the crises in Ukraine, Israel,
the Indo-Pacific, and here at home on our border, and I hoped we would
be debating a bill that rose to the seriousness of these crises without
delay. However, this bill fails Israel, and this bill fails the 1,400
Israelis and 36 Americans who were slaughtered in their homes and on
the streets in cold blood.
Those brutal massacres recalled the Holocaust. This is a holocaust, a
different kind of massacre, that demanded that Israel act against Hamas
with the support of the United States.
What the House Republicans have done is unprecedented and will mean
any aid to Israel will be delayed.
First, it puts a poison partisan bill that removes funding to ensure
the richest Americans and corporations pay taxes. It is supposedly paid
for with cuts to the IRS of $14.3 billion, which the CBO says will
nearly double the cost of this bill and add $12 billion to the deficit.
It furthers the Republican goal of keeping billionaires and the big
corporations from paying taxes.
Second, it is conditioning an emergency appropriation. We do not
condition emergency appropriations.
Understand, this is the first time we have conditioned aid to Israel.
Is Israel less important than other national emergencies? Is Israel
just a budget line? Is it just more fodder for the partisan wars that
polarize America?
It is outrageous that a major emergency funding bill in response to
the worst attack on Jewish people since the Holocaust is tied to
offsets. Israel, our closest ally in the Middle East, is reeling from a
terrorist attack and urgently needs our support.
This bill tells our allies that should they find themselves in an
existential war for their democracy and their freedom, we will not put
aside our partisan wars.
This bill abandons Ukraine. We will not abandon Israel, and we will
not abandon Ukraine, but their fortunes are linked.
Ukraine's fight for democracy and sovereignty requires decisive
action and absolute support from the free world. We must act like the
leaders of the free world.
This bill tells America's border communities that they cannot count
on us for security or support.
Let me go to another critical part of this bill. It provides only
military aid. It provides no humanitarian aid for the innocent
civilians caught in the middle of this war. Are you watching the
unfolding of this war and have no humanity?
Let me remind the Speaker of his colleague's nominating speech.
Congresswoman Stefanik recalled ``In God We Trust'' emblazoned over the
Speaker's chair. The Speaker reiterated ``In God We Trust.'' The
Speaker said to look to the Bible to know his thinking, and I, too,
look at my Catholic faith.
In this critical bill, we remove all help for the civilians being
killed in this war.
Hamas is responsible for spreading a humanitarian crisis as it builds
its armaments deep inside civilian centers, but the bombing of the
Jabalia refugee camp created unacceptable civilian losses.
We need a humanitarian pause, and that is why we need a serious bill
that addresses all the national security crises facing our country and
that reaches for support in both parties.
House Democrats are ready to work with House Republicans on
legislation that supports our allies abroad, including Israel and
Ukraine; protects our national security; provides humanitarian
assistance; secures our border; and makes much-needed domestic
investments. House Republicans so far refuse to join us at the
negotiating table.
We need to prove, as we did in the years after World War II and
throughout the Cold War, that we can protect, defend, and nurture
global democracy as the preeminent form of governance at the same time
we serve the American people.
{time} 1530
Our allies and the American people have no more time to wait. We must
now act to defend our allies, protect civilians, and serve the American
people's urgent needs. This bill does none of the above, so I urge my
colleagues to withhold their support.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Calvert), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Defense.
Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R.
6126, which provides security assistance to Israel, supports the
security of our embassy personnel, enables the evacuation of U.S.
citizens, and strengthens the ability of our industrial base to respond
to this crisis.
On October 7, Hamas terrorists carried out a barbaric attack on
Israel that took the lives of more than 1,400 innocent Israelis,
including 32 American citizens.
Mr. Speaker, I stand firmly behind Israel's right to defend itself
and destroy the Hamas terrorist organization. The world would be a
safer place once that organization is eliminated.
Last week, the House of Representatives passed House Resolution 771--
a resolution which I cosponsored--by a vote of 412-0. That resolution
reaffirms the United States' commitment to Israel's security. The bill
we are considering today delivers on that commitment.
This legislation contains $14.3 billion for Israel. As chairman of
the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, I
strongly support the bill's robust funding, which includes $4 billion
for the Iron Dome and David's Sling missile defense systems;
$1.2 billion for the Iron Beam defense system, which is a promising
new technology which will, I think, be both helpful to Israel and the
United States;
$800 million for production of 155-millimeter rounds, which we need
to get our supply chain rolling again;
$198 million for the production and development of small-diameter
bombs and precision-guided rockets;
$4.4 billion to replenish the U.S. stocks transferred to Israel, such
as precision-guided and other critical munitions, as well as medical
supplies for Israel's Defense Forces; and
$3.5 billion in Foreign Military Financing program funding for
Israel.
Mr. Speaker, Israel is at war. Hamas continues to launch rockets at
Israel. They still hold hundreds of hostages. Israel must respond to
this unprovoked attack on its people, defend itself, and fight to
prevent future attacks. The United States will stand with them.
Voting for this bill will provide much-needed support and send a
clear
[[Page H5300]]
message to Iran and its proxies that we will defend them.
Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Ohio (Ms. Kaptur), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Energy and
Water Development.
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of military assistance for Israel and
Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific, all regions in which our Nation has
forged critical strategic alliances. Make no mistake, in a dangerous
world, these precious alliances help secure liberty forward against all
enemies, foreign and domestic.
The largest land war since the Second World War is raging on Europe's
continent at the eastern edge in Ukraine following Russia's initial
brutal invasion in 2014.
The question before us is: What is liberty's worth for our
generation? We are not being asked to fight, but only to aid Ukraine's
valiant soldiers to drive Russia, the third largest military in the
world, out of their homeland.
It is day 617 of that brutal war. Few believed Ukraine could shoulder
this wretched war beyond a few weeks, but Ukraine's will to win
inspires us and subjugated people everywhere.
Over centuries, Ukrainians survived the absolute butchery of Lenin,
Stalin, and now Putin, all tyrannical mass murderers. No place on Earth
lost more lives to mass murder and forced starvation than did Ukraine
during the 20th century, 10 million to 14 million people, only God
knows.
Now is the time to turn a page for liberty in the annals of history.
This GOP's leadership's willful ignorance of the history of Russian
oppression and murder is mind-bending. The necessity for America, the
leader of the free world, to defend liberty, will prevent the blood of
Putin's tyranny running across not just more of Ukraine, but of Europe
and likely other places, including the Middle East.
Putin has refused to condemn Hamas and has gone as far as comparing
Israel's defensive actions to Nazi Germany's seize of Leningrad. In
return, Hamas has called Russia its friend.
They understand these conflicts are connected. Why don't we?
Vote ``no,'' the imperative vote for liberty.
Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr.
Womack), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Financial Services and
General Government.
Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Texas for her
leadership on this issue.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of our friends in Israel. I
thank the chairwoman and my friend, Ms. Granger, for bringing this
vital legislation to the floor, for the opportunity to speak on it.
Mr. Speaker, the choice today is pretty clear to me. We either
support our Israeli friends, or we don't.
We have heard, and we will continue to hear complaints about the
funding offset and the lack of non-Israel funding in this bill, and
each Member is entitled to their opinion, but, at the end of the day,
this bill will provide over $14 billion in support of Israel in its war
against these murderous terrorists. That is the important part.
These aren't just numbers, Mr. Speaker, on a piece of paper. Real
lives are at stake here. This funding will save Israeli lives through
replenishment of its missile defenses, it will give Israel the ability
to rid the world of dangerous terrorists, and it will help reestablish
deterrence in the Middle East at a time when Iran is aggressively
advancing on all fronts.
What happened on October 7 was tragic. No one, not one person, can
argue that the cruel and gruesome atrocities were justified. Israelis
were killed in their homes, massacred for having different religious
beliefs than their terrorist attackers. Unfortunately, these actions
have not been met with universal condemnation, not even in this very
House.
Mr. Speaker, I have personal experience in this region. I commanded
troops with a U.S. battalion of a multinational force and observers in
the Sinai Peninsula responsible for maintaining peace between Israel
and Egypt. Thankfully, we were and continued to be successful at that
mission, but unfortunately we still see terrorists' violence aimed at
Israelis simply trying to live their very lives.
Israel has a right to defend itself. It needs their freedom of action
to do so. We did not accept arbitrary restrictions on our actions
following 9/11, nor should we place any restrictions on Israel's
response.
This House has a habit--on both sides of the aisle--to search for the
perfect bill instead of taking something that is good for the moment, a
bill that makes incremental progress, as we speak.
I implore all Members to reject the demand for the perfect and,
instead, support the good. Support this vital funding, and then we can
move to support our Ukrainian friends, rebuild our defense industrial
base, and improve our conventional military capabilities to enhance our
deterrence against PRC threats.
Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this bill.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, to remind my dear friend from Arkansas that
this bill, for the first time, would condition aid to Israel, which is
something we have never done before.
Thank you Ranking Member DeLauro.
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 terrorist attacks of October
7th.
I commend President Biden for swiftly sending a comprehensive
emergency appropriations request that addresses attacks on both
democracies and addresses the crisis in Israel and Gaza.
I fully believe Israel deserves support for its security after
children and families were hunted down and attacked in their own homes
by Hamas terrorists. At the same time our country cannot ignore the
suffering of children and their families in Gaza who are in immediate
danger and desperately need humanitarian assistance and a safe place to
be.
That is why it is so disappointing that a fringe, extreme minority in
the Republican Majority has insisted on bringing this bill to the
floor.
On numerous votes, more than 300 House members on both sides of the
aisle are on record supporting Ukraine's fight for freedom, along with
the Senate and the President.
The Republican bill ignores the urgent need to sustain support for
our NATO allies and Ukraine, effectively abandoning their democracy and
their ability to protect their people against Russian aggression. Putin
himself claims ``if the aid stops tomorrow. [Ukraine] will live for
only a week [until] they run out of ammo.''
This bill fails to include urgently needed humanitarian assistance
for Palestinian civilians in Gaza who are in immediate harm's way.
The situation there currently for families and children is rapidly
deteriorating because countless Palestinians lack access to food, safe
shelter, medical supplies, and even potable water.
Humanitarian assistance must flow faster.
All hostages must be released.
And we must work with the United Nations and regional partners on a
ceasefire that every involved party is held to.
We must work together to bring the conflict to an end before it
escalates further.
Until then, declared safe areas must be truly safe for innocent
civilians in Gaza fleeing violence.
For the security of both Israeli and Palestinian families--the
violence must stop.
Finally, this bill ignores the longstanding bipartisan precedent of
providing emergency appropriations without an offset.
This so-called pay-for cuts funds from IRS tax enforcement that will
only enable more tax evasion by rich tax cheats costing taxpayers
money.
President Biden has alread said he will veto this ill-conceived bill.
We are wasting precious time on a bill that's dead on arrival.
Therefore, I stand in strong opposition and urge my colleagues to
oppose this bill that fails to meet the moment.
We cannot let a handful of extremist MAGA Republicans dictate our
foreign policy.
I yield back.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms.
McCollum), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Defense.
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
[[Page H5301]]
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.''
Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
Tennessee (Mr. Kustoff).
Mr. KUSTOFF. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairwoman for her leadership
and bringing this crucial security package that provides much-needed
aid and support for Israel, our greatest ally in the Middle East.
Israel has every right to defend herself from terrorists who have
brutally murdered over 1,400 men, women, and children. As I stand here
today, I quote Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu: ``If the Arabs lay
down their arms there will be no more war, but if Israel lays down its
weapons there would be no more Israel.''
It is essential that we demonstrate our unwavering support for the
State of Israel.
I urge my colleagues strongly to support this package that is so
crucial for our greatest ally in the Middle East, Israel.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on
Financial Services and General Government.
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I will
be quick, but hopefully pointed.
If the Republicans had not put a poison pill on this bill, it would
pass on suspension with over 400 votes, but they did not do that.
Mr. Speaker, we must provide Israel with the resources it needs to
protect itself and the Israelis, a mission that I absolutely support,
and we must do it now.
However, I rise in strong opposition to this legislation, the
dangerous precedent it sets, and the unsettling message it sends. At
any point, the majority could and should have put a bill on the floor
providing crucial aid to Israel and Ukraine.
The Israel bill alone would get over 400 votes, and support for
Ukraine has consistently gotten 300 votes. The new Speaker chose
neither.
Instead, he has constructed a political gotcha bill. The majority
tries to score political points at the expense of Jewish lives and the
competence of both our allies and enemies in our resolve and
reliability. They undermine the critical aid for Israel with their
misguided attacks on the IRS, delaying this vital funding for our ally
while adding $12.5 billion to the deficit.
{time} 1545
That is the exact opposite of what the offset claims to be its
objective. How ironic. How perverse. The only thing this bill offsets
is America's reputation and the world's greatest defender of democracy.
It signals to Putin, Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, Xi Jinping, Kim Jong-un,
and other despotic regimes around the world that America may no longer
be willing to pay the price of freedom. Such doubt is dangerous. It
signals to our allies that our support is contingent, not on our shared
values, but on partisan issues unrelated to this bill.
Vote ``no'' for Israel, and for precedent.
Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Ohio (Mr. Miller).
Mr. MILLER of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise in a time of great need and
urgency to support an emergency supplemental aid package to our great
ally and the only democracy in the Middle East, Israel.
For nearly a month now, the world has watched the bombardment of
brutal terrorist attacks against Israel. The sheer evil and terror that
have been brought upon the Israeli people by these barbaric savages
cannot be met by silence or inaction. As Hamas continues its heinous
attacks against Israel, we must continue to send a message to the world
and leaders of Hamas that the United States stands with Israel and
supports its absolute right to exist.
In our first action under Speaker Johnson, the House overwhelmingly
passed a resolution reaffirming support for Israel. Following that up,
this supplemental aid to Israel is a necessary step. Such aid will
provide Israel with the critical resources it needs to defend itself
and mount a response that will allow for the elimination of the threat
of Hamas.
As our strong ally in the Middle East, the United States must
continue to stand firmly with Israel and provide support for it to
defend its right to exist against those who wish it would cease to be.
As one of two Jewish House Republicans, I urge all of my colleagues
to support this aid package and to stand firmly behind Israel and the
Israeli people.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz), the ranking member of the Military
Construction, Veterans Affairs Subcommittee.
Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in pain. As
Florida's first Jewish Congresswoman, the debate we are having today is
deeply personal. I have never felt this magnitude of agony, shock, and
anger burning in the hearts of the entire Jewish community. For me, for
many of us, this goes beyond our belief in the survival of the Jewish
state and rises far above politics as usual.
Today should be a moment of unity for this Chamber, a time where
partisan games and showmanship are put aside. The House should be
voting on a simple bill to provide urgent security assistance to Israel
in her battle against Hamas terrorists. This same terrorist
organization that perpetrated intentional genocidal violence on Israeli
civilians on October 7, who just yesterday vowed to repeat that
massacre over and over again.
That is why this House should send a clean bill to the Senate.
Instead, Speaker Johnson is willingly jeopardizing Israel's security by
making support for Israeli existence contingent on issues totally
unrelated to its security. He has taken an unprecedented step and one
with potentially fatal consequences.
I have seen statements from colleagues across the aisle since October
7, ones proclaiming an ironclad commitment to Israel. I have heard
their promises over the years to never condition aid to Israel. You
know you have looked pro-Israel leaders in the eye and promised that
you would never do that. Think about it. But here we are.
We cannot send a message to our strongest ally in the Middle East,
especially in this dire hour of need that the U.S. will only support
Israel if we can score political points against Democrats. We cannot
hold Israel security captive as she reels with over 230 of its citizens
still being held hostage. That is why last night I offered an amendment
that would have eliminated this offset, which isn't an offset.
It would have eliminated the false choice Republicans are forcing
upon us by tying Israeli security assistance to
[[Page H5302]]
unrelated policy debates. Yet to my dismay, but not surprise, my
colleagues across the aisle rejected my amendment, preventing it from
even being voted on on the floor today. When given the chance to fix
their mistake, Republicans rejected it, once more opting for political
gamesmanship.
Our sole Democratic ally in the Middle East deserves better. Don't
try to say you have Israel's best interest at heart if you are willing
to jeopardize Israel's security in this way. The Israeli people deserve
better.
``Am Yisrael Chai,'' ``The people of Israel live.''
Mr. SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to direct their remarks
to the Chair.
Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. Clyde), a member of the Appropriations Committee.
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.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Quigley), the ranking member of the Transportation,
Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee.
Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, when I came to this House, I was told a
cardinal rule is we are not going to let Israel become a partisan
issue. The manner in which this supplemental is moving forward does
just that. It is dangerous, and it is unnecessary. It is also a
dangerous game my colleagues across the aisle are playing with our
national security. Removing Ukraine aid from this package sends a
message to Putin and the rest of the world that our aid is conditional
on political climate.
It is clear that some of my colleagues have forgotten why Ukraine's
fight is so important; what it means to democracy across the world.
Let's remind them.
This past weekend, we traveled to Kyiv and met with President
Zelenskyy. We discussed the critical role the U.S. plays in the war and
what else has to be done in the coming winter. Munitions are dwindling,
and the needs are increasing. Not only is Putin certain to view the
current crisis in the Middle East as a distraction from Ukraine that
can be used to his advantage, but antagonists in both conflicts are
connected through him. Just last week, Russia hosted representatives
from Hamas and Iran. Iran is supporting both Hamas' attacks on Israel
and is believed to be assisting Putin in his assault on Ukraine.
Ukraine believes that 1,000 Iranian-designed drones were used by
Russia over the past 6 months alone. We do not have to choose which
crisis to respond to. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said:
``We have the capability and the strength to address different
challenges at the same time. We don't have the luxury of choosing only
one threat and one challenge.''
If we want to hold Hamas accountable, defeating Putin in Ukraine is
also in our best interest. Anyone who tries to argue that a choice must
be made between Ukraine and the American people or Ukraine and Israel
is presenting a false dilemma.
We must help Israel defend itself in the face of terrorism while
simultaneously supporting Ukraine in their war against an autocratic
invader.
Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
Louisiana (Mr. Scalise), the majority leader.
Mr. SCALISE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the appropriations chair, my good
friend from Texas, for yielding and for bringing this important
legislation, which I strongly support.
We have seen the atrocities in Israel. We have also stood by Israel.
In fact, the United States is proud to be the first country that
recognized Israel as a Jewish state on the heels of World War II as the
nations were coming together and recognizing the importance that we all
get behind a Jewish state. Unfortunately, from that day there were
always people around the neighborhood who wished Israel harm.
Over time, you have seen peace agreements, Abraham Accords, but you
have always seen seeds of discord. Of course, the biggest discord
started with Iran funding terrorist organizations like Hamas. Hamas
took action weeks ago, atrocities that are hard to repeat that we have
seen and the world needs to continue to see because, unfortunately, as
the world is seeing the atrocities, while we recognize the lives that
have been lost--not only Israelis, Jews, Americans, Palestinians--but
you also see the ugly head of anti-Semitism popping up.
Here on college campuses in the United States, other places around
the Nation and the world, where anti-Semitism seems to rise its ugly
head at times when Israel seems to be in a dangerous position, these
are times when we all need to be standing with Israel, giving them the
tools they need to make sure they can defend themselves against these
atrocities. That is what this legislation does.
In fact, we worked with the leadership in Israel. We worked with the
Biden administration, the Pentagon, and others who know what is at
stake. We have had long-time partnerships in our strength and our
defense systems. If you think about the Iron Dome and David's Sling
weapons systems that will be replenished with this legislation, a lot
of this is American technology that has been partnered with Israel over
many, many years to save lives in Israel.
And as those weapons systems get depleted, we need to make sure they
are replenished; the Iron Beam system, a more advanced missile systems.
Some of the other partnerships that we have had for a long time, that
is also funded in this bill. We are making sure that Israel has the
tools they need.
We came out of the box ensuring, under Speaker Mike Johnson, that
we send a strong message to the world that we support Israel, passing
strong legislation to unite behind Israel. But now we need to back that
up with action, with the support in military strength that they need to
continue this conflict.
And it is actually paid for; paid for not by taking away existing IRS
agents, but tens of thousands of new proposed IRS agents. And where are
they coming from? Who are they going after? If you look at the CBO
report, the proposed IRS agents that we would be defunding in this, we
are actually helping President Biden keep his promise. You heard over
and over again, President Biden said no American
[[Page H5303]]
making under $400,000 will pay a dime in new taxes. We all heard that.
It was a promise made over and over again, except President Biden broke
that promise.
Families making under $400,000 are paying more in new taxes, and part
of that is the army of IRS agents that they are sending after people,
tens of thousands. Under this bill, these IRS agents that we would be
eliminating save the American taxpayers making under $400,000 a total
of $4 billion. That is $4 billion back in the pockets of hardworking
families who were promised by President Biden they wouldn't see their
taxes go up. Yet, he wanted to put tens of thousands of IRS agents
looking into and raising their taxes. That won't happen if this bill
passes, which is more money they need right now because prices are
higher on those families.
{time} 1600
At the end day, sending the message that we are willing to stand up
to Iran and give Israel the tools they need--tomorrow, we are bringing
more legislation, by the way, in the SHIP Act, to put sanctions on
Iranian oil. Again, Iran is at the heart and center of funding Hamas.
Hamas started this. As the President talks about a cease-fire, it was
Hamas who broke the cease-fire when they invaded and attacked and
murdered, barbarically, Israel.
Israel needs the right to defend themselves. They need the tools to
defend themselves, but let's also defund Iran and the money they are
getting. They made $80 billion during the Biden administration selling
their oil on world markets. We need to pass that legislation tomorrow,
which we will, and hopefully in a very big bipartisan vote. We need to
start today by passing this legislation to give them the tools they
need in Israel to make sure that they can push back and destroy Hamas
and protect those citizens in Israel who deserve peace. America has
always stood by our ally Israel. Let's continue that today. I urge
passage.
Mr. HOYER. Will the gentleman yield for a colloquy?
Mr. SCALISE. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to yield to the gentleman from
Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) for the purposes of a colloquy. I still call him
Leader Hoyer.
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Scalise and I have been partners in being very, very
strong supporters of Israel and making sure Israel has the funds it
needs to be successful, sovereign, secure, and safe. We remain in that
position.
The reason I asked the gentleman to yield is I don't know what is
going to happen to this legislation. I do know that the chairman of the
Foreign Affairs Committee has said this legislation we are considering
is dead upon arrival in the Senate. I don't know whether that is the
case.
I am no longer the leader, but I will tell my friend, the leader of
the Republican Party, that if you would bring a bill to the floor
tomorrow that has this $14.3 billion--I would like it to have Ukraine,
but if it doesn't have Ukraine in it, I would like it to have
humanitarian relief, but if it doesn't have humanitarian relief--I
believe it would pass on suspension overwhelmingly with votes from your
side and votes from this side. I would ask the gentleman to consider
that alternative.
Mr. SCALISE. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the conversations that the
gentleman and I have had. He has led many delegations to Israel. I
think most of us have been to Israel and seen firsthand some of those
towns. I have been to Sderot and other cities that have come under
attack. I have seen the heartbreak going to some of the kibbutzim and
have heard the harrowing stories. We want to make sure they get their
relief.
I also know this. Obviously, as we talk about funding of government,
we just passed an appropriations bill last night, and we are going to
be moving after we get through this bill into two more appropriations
bills. We will be working late into the night and tomorrow on more
appropriations bills to properly fund government.
If you look at the bills we have already sent over to the Senate,
that includes the Defense appropriations bill, that includes more
funding for Israel, along with the State and Foreign Operations bill
that also includes more funding for Israel.
When we have had heads of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, military
leaders, come before us in committees to testify about the major
threats globally, they have been asked pointblank: What is the major
threat to America? You would think if you are a military leader, you
would be talking about maybe China and some of the threats that they
pose that we know are very real and other countries. That is not what
they talked about. They talked about our Nation's debt, that the
Nation's debt is the biggest threat.
If we can do both, support our friends around the world and start
confronting our Nation's debt--we are going to have to do this over and
over again. The Speaker talked about a debt commission that got a lot
of bipartisan interest, in fact, bicameral interest. These are all
issues we have to confront at the same time.
We are going to continue to do our work. The Senate could pass that
bill to the President's desk, and I think in the end he would sign it.
If the Senate passes this bill that we are going to pass today to the
Senate, I have no doubt the President would sign this bill.
We have to confront our challenges here. We need border security. As
we talk about Ukraine, we need to secure America's border, because we
know there are people on the terrorist watch list coming into our
country right now that we cannot ignore.
This administration might be ignoring it. Democrat mayors and
Republican mayors alike recognize it is a problem in major cities that
has to be confronted. We are going to confront it and continue to work
on those issues, as well. All of this has to be dealt with at the same
time. None of this happens in a vacuum. Many of these problems are
interrelated. We are going to continue to confront all of them and work
as we can hopefully together. Obviously, today maybe we might not all
be on the same page. Tomorrow, I think on that Iran oil sanctions bill,
we will be closer, but we have to keep working through these issues
together.
Mr. HOYER. Will the gentleman yield for a colloquy?
Mr. SCALISE. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr.
Hoyer) for a colloquy.
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman is very generous.
The irony, as I pointed out, Mr. Speaker, is that in the pay-for that
they have used, CBO scores that as a $12.5 billion increase in the
debt, not a decrease. The reason for that is, it cuts $28 billion,
essentially, that we would otherwise collect and that we spend $14
billion of that, so there is a net $12 billion plus remaining to add to
the deficit.
I understand and I agree with the gentleman that the debt is
important. We need to deal with it. I agree with his observation that
our defense officials see that as a clear and present danger to our
country. We need to deal with it. I suggest respectfully to the
gentleman that the offset does not accomplish that objective.
Mr. SCALISE. Mr. Speaker, one final point on that. Obviously, if you
look at the history of CBO, they are the referee, the scorekeeper that
has to be used. They have often been wrong. I would say often wrong but
never in doubt. When they are wrong, they are usually wrong to the
detriment of taxpayers.
Here is a classic example. Only in Washington does eliminating
government positions count as something that is going to cost the
deficit. Getting rid of the size of government is ruled by CBO as
increasing the deficit, but they exposed a dirty little secret about
these new IRS agents. I emphasize ``new.'' These are not existing
employees. This is tens of thousands of new IRS agents that President
Biden wants to hire. It exposed that the only way that they generate
money is by raising taxes on families, including those making under
$400,000. In their report, they point this out.
If you are an American citizen who believed Joe Biden's promise that
you will not pay a dime in new taxes if you make less than $400,000--
and he said it over and over again; it is on video--that promise is
broken, according to the CBO in this report, to the tune of over $4
billion in new taxes that those families will be paying. Those are not
existing taxes. They are new taxes those families will be paying.
[[Page H5304]]
If you want to save $4 billion in taxes and you are one of those
families that bought the promise--and, frankly, in times of high
inflation, high interest rates, high cost for everything from gas to
groceries, no family should be paying more in new taxes. I would argue
this bill will save those families a lot more money than what those new
IRS agents were going to collect in new taxes, and we are doing them
all a favor while also helping address a serious spending problem in
Washington and standing with our ally Israel, most importantly.
Mr. Speaker, that is why we need to pass the bill.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from
Florida (Ms. Lois Frankel), a member of the Appropriations Committee.
Ms. LOIS FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am standing here as a
Member of Congress because my grandfather, Abe, was able to flee Europe
as the Nazis took over.
Then on October 7, it happened again. Hamas' barbaric attack on
Israel was the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. Make no
mistake, Hamas are terrorists out to kill all Jews and destroy Israel,
and other enemies in the region are on the same mission.
Reaffirming Israel's right to exist, Golda Meir said: ``Jews have
nowhere else to go.''
Mr. Speaker, the United States has a moral duty and national security
urgency to aid Israel in defending herself. We must send an
unmistakable message to the world that we stand with Israel. I hope
that as this process moves forward, we will all come together to do
just that.
Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Van Drew.)
Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Texas for
yielding.
Peace through strength. This is the principle that is called upon us
today. If we are truly the beacon of democracy for all the world, we
must help our greatest ally, Israel. We must help them from the threats
to its very existence.
It is a message to the world that we stand with our allies; that we
will help shield Israel from the rockets of Hamas; that we will help
shield Israel from the death, the torture, the rape of babies and
children and mothers and fathers and grandmothers and grandfathers.
We have seen the face of evil. We will take a resolute stand against
terrorism wherever it is and whenever it is. It is an unwavering
commitment to Israel's absolute right to defend itself, its absolute
right to do whatever is necessary.
I implore all my colleagues, let us stand with Israel. This is a
simple yes-or-no vote. Vote ``yes'' to stand with Israel. It is right.
It is necessary.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman cared about what is
happening to women, children, and babies, there would be humanitarian
assistance in this package.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Nadler), the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this bill,
which for the first time conditions emergency, essential aid to Israel
on cuts to the domestic budget. The majority is attempting to divide
Congress for purely partisan gain. It is despicable.
I stand here as a proud progressive Zionist. Support for Israel is
built into my DNA. My wife lived in Israel. I have family in Israel. I
was horrified by the events of October 7. It was a traumatic moment for
Israel and a traumatic moment for the global Jewish community. I remain
committed to doing whatever I can to support our ally Israel in its
fight against the terrorist organization Hamas, especially since Hamas'
statement last night that they would repeat the October 7 massacre over
and over until Israel is no more.
I look forward to voting for President Biden's complete supplemental
military and humanitarian aid package, including strategic and military
assistance to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan, and humanitarian assistance
to Gaza, Israel, and Ukraine to deal with extreme crisis conditions
caused by two major wars.
Today's vote is not about supporting Israel. It is not about global
security. Rather, today's vote is on a divisive political maneuver that
leads us down a dark road. It sets a dangerous precedent, pitting our
national security and support for democratic allies against domestic
expenditures. When Israel needs more funds, will we have to find
another offset?
It must be repeated. This so-called offset will actually increase the
deficit, all while allowing the wealthiest to cheat on their taxes. As
the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has made clear, it would
add $12.5 billion to the deficit in the next decade.
I will proudly support emergency supplemental aid to Israel. I look
forward to voting for that bill, but the bill we are voting on today is
just a partisan game. It is an insult to Jewish Americans, and it is an
insult to our ally Israel.
The pro-Israel vote is a ``no.'' I will proudly vote ``no,'' reject
this unprecedented partisanship, and wait for a genuine bill to aid
Israel.
Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Lawler).
Mr. LAWLER. Mr. Speaker, we must stand with Israel in its time of
need. This funding will go a long way toward ensuring that Israel has
the ability to defend itself from the horrific campaign of terror waged
by Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, and other terrorists organizations.
What occurred on October 7 is akin to what happened to our country on
December 7, 1941, or September 11, 2001. Israel has a right to defend
itself and fight back against those who would see them eradicated from
the face of the Earth. No one told the United States after Pearl Harbor
or 9/11 not to hold the perpetrators of those attacks accountable.
The perpetrators of this attack on Israel are an insidious
organization that has attacked their country. Hamas' stated goal is the
elimination of the State of Israel, and by extension, the genocide of
the Jewish population living in it. We cannot let that happen.
{time} 1615
We cannot let that happen. We have Members in this body who have
voted against condemning Hamas and voted against holding Iran
accountable. Members of this body are calling for a cease-fire despite
the fact that Hamas has already stated this is just the first step.
They will not abide by a cease-fire.
This legislation before us today would provide $14.3 billion in aid
to Israel. This is a significant defense supplemental that includes
$801.4 million in extra funding for ammunition procurement, $3.5
billion in funding for foreign military financing, $50 million in
evacuation assistance support for the U.S. Embassy in Israel, $4
billion for Iron Dome and David's Sling defense systems and other
Defense-wide procurement, and $38.6 million for Air Force procurement.
This bill is necessary for our closest ally in the Middle East, which
is why I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to join us
in passing this critical aid for Israel to show our support for this
beacon of hope and freedom in the Middle East.
We cannot let our differences divide us on this critical issue. We
cannot allow the bright candle of democracy in the Middle East to be
extinguished by Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. We cannot allow Israel to
lose.
This legislation is not conditioning aid. It is paying for it.
Apparently, my Democratic colleagues still don't understand that we
cannot just continue to borrow and print new money at every
opportunity.
We have a debt that is approaching $34 trillion. It costs money, and
we have to pay for it. To oppose this simply because you don't like the
fact that there is an offset is absurd.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to everyone joining in passing this
bipartisan legislation.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, on September 29, the gentleman who just
spoke voted for a billion-dollar cut to Israel.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Meeks), the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose this measure.
First, let the record be clear: There is no question that we all
support Israel. The fact of the matter is, Chairman
[[Page H5305]]
McCaul and I worked very hard together to make sure that there was one
voice on the very first vote once the Speaker was selected to say that
we all support Israel, bringing us together.
There are some decisive votes that we take as Members of Congress
that will stick with us, and one of those votes is this one, H.R. 6126.
Congress has a proud bipartisan tradition of acting rapidly to pass
emergency funding for critical national security needs. This
legislation breaks that long and important tradition.
Once we set the precedent of conditioning assistance to partners and
allies in essential fights with poison pills, it is hard to go back. We
can't unring that bell.
We have stood in a bipartisan way to prevent conditioning aid to
Israel. Yet, here we are, considering a bill today that does exactly
that.
Disappointingly, this bill doesn't include the $9.15 billion the
administration had requested to address global humanitarian needs,
including Gaza, undermining our values and the Biden administration's
careful diplomacy and bipartisan support for Israel.
We are a nation that aims to use its powerful good in this world.
That has been our guiding principle drawn from the lessons learned when
we look away. Mr. Speaker, we cannot afford to look the other way as
Ukraine faces a vital moment and critical munitions shortfalls. We
can't afford to look the other way as countries in the Indo-Pacific are
looking to the United States for leadership as we engage in strategic
competition with China. Are we prepared to signal to the world that we
are looking away?
Mr. Speaker, let's reject this bill, which trades our long-term
national security for a fleeting political advantage. Let's get back to
work.
Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Smith).
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend for
yielding and for her leadership on protecting Israel and providing them
the means to protect themselves.
Mr. Speaker, our great friend and ally, Israel, with assistance from
the U.S., continues to respond to the cowardly Hamas invasion that
includes psychotic terrorists butchering innocent civilians, rape,
hostage-taking, the beheading of babies, and the daily indiscriminate
missile attacks that are reminiscent of Nazi buzz bombs and V-2
rockets.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that he would never
allow a second Holocaust, nor should we. Anti-Semitism, as we all know,
is at the root of Hamas violence against Israel.
Mr. Speaker, I ask Members to read the charter that was put out by
Hamas in 1988. They call for killing Jews--slaughtering Jews. I ask
every Member to read it. They demand the destruction of Israel--that
there be no Israel--that they eviscerate it from planet Earth.
This important bill provides $14.3 billion to provide military
assistance to Israel, including $4 billion to replenish Iron Dome and
David's Sling, $3.5 billion for foreign military financing, $1.2
billion for the continuing development of the Iron Beam system, and so
much more.
Mr. Speaker, like the Nazis before them, Hamas and its chief
terrorism sponsor, Iran, are committing genocide against the Jews.
Can you believe that Iran is now chairing the United Nations Human
Rights Council in Geneva as of today? That is absurd.
The United States--and all people committed to human rights and the
rule of law--must stand with Israel. That means our moral support and
our prayers. That means ensuring that critical intelligence be shared,
and every weapon system critical in destroying Hamas, including Iron
Dome, is conveyed to Israel in quantities commensurate to the challenge
and without delay.
Mr. Speaker, this is an important bill, and I call on my friends on
the other side of the aisle to support it.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from New Jersey, on September
29, voted for a billion-dollar cut in aid to Israel.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr.
Doggett).
Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, this bill is soft on war crimes. The
massacres in Mariupol, Bucha, and the kidnapping of Ukrainian children,
similar to what happened in Israel, are all crimes against humanity.
Like the Holocaust, there is no ``other side'' justifying these crimes.
All of these criminals must be held accountable.
Yet, because of Trump affection for Putin and his little helpers here
in Congress, this bill offers absolutely nothing to help fight Russian
terrorists and nothing to stop Hamas terrorists, unless well-connected
Republican tax cheats get help first.
Nor does defeating Hamas require encouraging collective punishment of
the children of Gaza by denying them food, medicine, and water.
Immediate Senate correction of the many failings in this bill can
produce a balanced bill that I and many others will join in supporting.
A humanitarian pause now, stopping disproportionate responses,
represents no surrender to Hamas--rather, it offers the chance to
secure the hostages, avoid a wider war, and achieve long-term security.
Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Sherman).
Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, Speaker Johnson brought to this floor a
bill to prevent the IRS from auditing the wealthy because: ``Every time
a billionaire cheats on their taxes, a member of the House Freedom
Caucus earns his wings.''
Speaker Mike Johnson said today that Israel can't wait for this
critical aid. Then, he brings to the floor a bill that he knows is dead
on arrival in the Senate. He knew full well that all he had to do was
bring it up without the IRS provisions and it would pass overwhelmingly
in this House and the Senate, and would be on the President's desk in a
day.
For 50 years, every Israel bill that came to this floor passed with
overwhelming bipartisan support. That is critical because Israel has
one friend in the world. If Israel becomes a partisan issue, then
Israel has one-half of one friend in the world.
Hamas was willing to kill, to decapitate, and to die to undercut
world support for Israel, particularly bipartisan support here in the
United States. No one has done more than our new Speaker to help Hamas
achieve that objective.
Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Schneider).
Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this bill.
Eighty years ago, the Greatest Generation laid their lives on the
line fighting for our country and the free world in Europe, Africa, the
Middle East, and the Pacific.
Today, we are facing grave global challenges and threats not seen in
decades. The world is again looking to the United States to lead, and
we must not shrink from the burdens of our responsibilities.
We are here today talking about Israel and our ironclad commitment to
its security. Israel is fighting a war for its survival and must defeat
Hamas.
Hamas is a genocidal, nihilistic terrorist organization dedicated to
the destruction of the State of Israel and the murder of the Jewish
people. There will not be peace for Palestinians or Israelis until
Hamas can no longer rule over Gaza or threaten Israel from its borders.
It is also important to understand that Putin's war against Ukraine
cannot be separated from Hamas' war against Israel. Success in both
wars is imperative for the interests of the United States.
We must demonstrate to our allies and our enemies that we are not
just able but are committed to supporting Israel, Ukraine, and our
friends in the Indo-Pacific as they defend themselves.
Sadly, at this moment, the new Speaker of the House and the bill he
brought to the floor today are coming up woefully short.
Leaders from both sides of the aisle have long accepted three tenets
in their support for Israel:
Number one, support for Israel must never be a bargaining chip.
Second, support for Israel is and must remain broadly bipartisan.
[[Page H5306]]
Third, aid for Israel must never be conditioned.
This bill violates all three.
Right now, Israel urgently needs our strong support. Meanwhile,
Republicans who have too long tried to use Israel as a political,
partisan wedge are now conditioning aid to Israel on the partisan
demand we defund the IRS.
Reflecting the cynicism of this move, their condition for supporting
Israel will not even pay for itself but will dig a fiscal hole $27
billion deeper.
It will be far better and less costly in blood and treasure if we
ensure Russia, Iran, and Hamas are defeated in their current wars than
if our enemies achieve strategic victories against Ukraine and Israel,
and America has to strengthen our defenses in Europe and the Middle
East.
Speaker Johnson's plan is dangerous, reckless, and irresponsible. It
is dangerous because it endangers Israel's security. It is reckless
because it conditions aid to Israel for the first time. It is
irresponsible because it adds $27 billion to the national debt.
I am fully committed to ensuring that Israel gets the aid it needs as
quickly as possible. I will work with anyone, Democrat and Republican,
to get this done.
We all know the Senate will send us a robust bipartisan package. I
look forward to leading the charge to make sure that package passes
overwhelmingly in this House.
I cannot support the terribly flawed, weak, and dangerous bill
Speaker Johnson and the Republicans have on the floor today.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to reject the cynical bill
before us.
{time} 1630
Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, may I ask how much time is remaining.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman from Connecticut has 2\1/2\
minutes remaining.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Goldman).
Mr. GOLDMAN of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for
yielding me time.
Mr. Speaker, I stand before you and this body as the only Member who
was in Israel on October 7, hiding in a stairwell with my wife and
three young kids to avoid rockets sent our way by a brutal terrorist
regime. Twenty-seven days later, there are 240 hostages that remain in
Gaza. My children are still traumatized, but their trauma does not
compare to the trauma every single Israeli feels after the most
barbaric and horrific terrorist attack targeting Jews since the
Holocaust.
So to my Republican colleagues, please spare me the lectures about
what is best for Israel.
Mr. Speaker, you will not find a Member of Congress who is more
supportive of Israel than I am. That is why I am so personally
disappointed that the House Republicans have chosen to divide us by
playing political games with aid for Israel when what Israel needs
desperately right now is our unified and unconditional support.
Mr. Speaker, 412 Members of this body voted last week to condemn
Hamas and support Israel, but today for the first time ever,
Republicans have put conditions on emergency aid to Israel in a purely
political ploy designed to divide us. This is a terrible precedent for
the future of Israel.
I look forward to supporting the full amount of Israel aid that is in
this bill when it comes back from the Senate as soon as possible and
without conditions.
Support for Israel may be a political game for my colleagues on the
other side of the aisle, but this is personal for us Jews, and it is
existential for the one Jewish nation in the world that is a safe haven
against the rising tide of anti-Semitism across the globe.
This is a shameful effort to use Israel and the Jewish people as a
political weapon.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I urge the support of this bill, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 838, the
previous question is ordered on the bill.
The question is on the engrossment and third reading of the bill.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, and was
read the third time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, further
consideration of H.R. 6126 is postponed.
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