[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 10 (Thursday, January 18, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H192-H193]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       COMMEMORATING 103 DAYS SINCE THE OCTOBER 7 ATTACK BY HAMAS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, last night, I joined Members on both sides of 
the aisle for a candlelight vigil to mark 103 days since October 7; 103 
days since Hamas tore through Israeli communities leaving slaughter, 
rape, and destruction in their wake; 103 days since these terrorists 
took hundreds of Israelis and Americans hostage; and sadly, Mr. 
Speaker, 103 days of inaction by this Congress.
  I believe the sentiments and prayers our Members shared at the vigil 
are genuine. Indeed, the vast majority of this Congress wants to aid 
Israel as well as Ukraine, but our actions--rather, I should say, 
inaction--belie our words.
  The far right has prevented this Congress from delivering the 
resources necessary to give our rhetoric meaning and impact. Hollow 
words, empty threats, and unfulfilled promises are poor substitutes for 
military hardware, munitions, and humanitarian relief.
  From partisan IRS cuts to a complete overhaul of our immigration 
system, Republican leadership has made supplemental aid to our allies 
contingent on completely unrelated issues.
  Mr. Speaker, I should point out that the Speaker of this House, Mr. 
Johnson, sponsored a bill just a few years ago that said only one 
subject per bill because he didn't want to be forced to vote for 
something that he liked at the same time he voted for something he 
didn't like. From partisan IRS cuts to

[[Page H193]]

immigration, the effort to unnecessarily complicate this aid is ironic 
considering that bill was called the One Subject at a Time Act.
  Mr. Speaker, there is one subject that ought to be at the top of our 
minds right now: the defense of democracy. Every moment we fail to act 
disheartens our allies and emboldens the enemies of freedom.
  Hamas doesn't have to question its allies' commitment to their cause. 
The Houthis have made their devotion clear, as have Iran, Hezbollah, 
and other Iranian proxies.
  Putin knows he has the backing of the new axis of evil, as well. 
North Korea supplies him with artillery shells and ballistic missiles 
that rain down on Ukrainian civilians. Iran sends him suicide drones 
that buzz over trenches and through city streets across Ukraine.
  Iran gives those same weapons to Hamas and its other proxies to use 
against the people of Israel.
  We, on the other hand, are sowing doubt daily for our allies and for 
our enemies.
  At least 132 Israeli and American hostages remain in Gaza awaiting 
rescue. Innocent Palestinians await our humanitarian aid as Hamas 
continues to use them as human shields.
  In Ukraine, our allies scavenge the husks of burnt-out Russian tanks 
for spare parts. Ukrainian commanders are forced to ration ammunition. 
Artillery crews wait days for resupply, and when it finally comes, they 
can often count the number of shells on one hand.
  Has the wellspring of freedom run dry? We must answer them now. Our 
answer must be a resounding no. Our actions now will be our only reply 
that is heard. The strong words of yesterday will be drowned out by the 
thunder of inaction today.
  America, a beacon of freedom and democracy, stands inactive in the 
light of Putin's criminal aggression and Hamas' terrorism.
  Mr. Speaker, let us come together and let us act. There are over 300 
votes in this House for Ukraine. There are over 400 votes in this House 
for Israel and for humanitarian relief. Let us not stand silent, inept, 
inactive, unable to help those who are on freedom's front line this 
very hour.

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