[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 70 (Saturday, April 20, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H2607-H2614]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ISRAEL SECURITY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024
Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1160, I call
up the bill (H.R. 8034) making emergency supplemental appropriations to
respond to the situation in Israel and for related expenses 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 1160, the bill
is considered read.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 8034
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 transfers 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 situation in Israel:
Provided, That the amount provided under this heading in this
Act may be may be transferred to accounts under the headings
``Operation and Maintenance'', ``Procurement'', and
``Revolving and Management Funds'' for replacement, through
new procurement or repair of existing unserviceable
equipment, 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 the government of Israel or
identified and notified to Congress for provision to the
government of Israel or to foreign countries that have
provided support to Israel at the request of the United
States: Provided further, That funds transferred pursuant to
the preceding 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 herein, such amounts may
be transferred back and merged with this appropriation:
Provided further, That any transfer authority provided herein
is in addition to any other transfer authority provided by
law: Provided further, That such amount is designated by the
Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to
section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985.
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 situation in Israel: Provided, That
such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an
emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of
the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of
1985.
Procurement, Defense-Wide
For an additional amount for ``Procurement, Defense-Wide'',
$5,200,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2026,
to respond to the situation in Israel and for related
expenses: Provided, That of the total amount provided under
this heading in this Act, $4,000,000,000 shall be 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 further, That of the total amount provided under
this heading in this Act, $1,200,000,000 shall be for the
Secretary of Defense to provide to the Government of Israel
for the procurement of the Iron Beam defense system to
counter short-range rocket threats: Provided further, That
funds in the preceding provisos 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 in this Act 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 or for the procurement of the Iron Beam defense
system: Provided further, That such amount is designated by
the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant
to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and
Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Defense Production Act Purchases
For an additional amount for ``Defense Production Act
Purchases'', $198,600,000, to remain available until
expended, for activities by the Department of Defense
pursuant to sections 108, 301, 302, and 303 of the Defense
Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 4518, 4531, 4532, and
4533): Provided, That such amounts shall be obligated and
expended by the Secretary of Defense as if delegated the
necessary authorities conferred by the Defense Production Act
of 1950: Provided further, That such amount is designated by
the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant
to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and
Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
GENERAL PROVISIONS--THIS TITLE
(including transfers of funds)
Sec. 101. For an additional amount for the Department of
Defense, $2,440,000,000, to remain available until September
30, 2024, for transfer to military personnel accounts,
operation and maintenance accounts, procurement accounts,
research, development, test and evaluation accounts, and the
Defense Working Capital Funds, in addition to amounts
otherwise made available for such purpose, only for U.S.
operations, force protection, deterrence, and the replacement
of combat expenditures in the United States
[[Page H2608]]
Central Command region: Provided, That none of the funds
provided under this section may be obligated or expended
until 30 days after the Secretary of Defense provides to the
congressional defense committees an execution plan: Provided
further, That not less than 15 days prior to any transfer of
funds, the Secretary of Defense shall notify the
congressional defense committees of the details of any such
transfer: Provided further, That upon transfer, the funds
shall be merged with and available for the same purposes, and
for the same time period, as the appropriation to which
transferred: Provided further, That any transfer authority
provided herein is in addition to any other transfer
authority provided by law: Provided further, That such amount
is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency
requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
TITLE II
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
PROTECTION, PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE, AND RECOVERY
Federal Emergency Management Agency
operations and support
For an additional amount for ``Federal Emergency Management
Agency--Operations and Support'', $10,000,000, to remain
available until September 30, 2027, for necessary expenses
related to the administration of nonprofit security grants:
Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as
being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section
251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit
Control Act of 1985.
federal assistance
For an additional amount for ``Federal Emergency Management
Agency--Federal Assistance'', $390,000,000, of which
$160,000,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2025,
and $230,000,000 shall remain available until September 30,
2026, for Nonprofit Security Grant Program under section 2009
of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 609a) for
eligible nonprofit organizations to prevent, prepare for,
protect against, and respond to acts of terrorism or other
threats: Provided, That the Administrator of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency shall make programmatic
adjustments as necessary to expedite the disbursement of, and
provide flexibility in the use of, amounts made available
under this heading in this Act: Provided further, That
notwithstanding any provision of 6 U.S.C. 609a, and in
addition to amounts available under 6 U.S.C. 609a(c)(2), the
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency may
permit a State to use up to two percent of a grant awarded
under this heading in this Act to provide outreach and
technical assistance to eligible nonprofit organizations to
assist them with applying for Nonprofit Security Grant
Program awards under this heading in this Act: Provided
further, That such outreach and technical assistance should
prioritize rural and underserved communities and nonprofit
organizations that are traditionally underrepresented in the
Program: Provided further, That such amount is designated by
the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant
to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and
Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
TITLE III
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,
to respond to the situation in Israel and areas and countries
impacted by the situation in Israel: Provided, That of the
total amount provided under this heading in this Act,
$100,000,000, to remain available until expended, shall be
for Worldwide Security Protection, including to respond to
the situation in Israel and areas impacted by the situation
in Israel: Provided further, That such amount is designated
by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement
pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget
and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
office of inspector general
For an additional amount for ``Office of Inspector
General'', $4,000,000 to remain available until September 30,
2025: Provided, That such amount is designated by the
Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to
section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985.
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 expended, to meet unforeseen emergencies
arising in the Diplomatic and Consular Service, as
authorized: Provided, That such amount is designated by the
Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to
section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985.
UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Funds Appropriated to the President
office of inspector general
For an additional amount for ``Office of Inspector
General'', $3,000,000, to remain available until September
30, 2025: Provided, That such amount is designated by the
Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to
section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985.
BILATERAL ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE
Funds Appropriated to the President
international disaster assistance
For an additional amount for ``International Disaster
Assistance'', $5,655,000,000, to remain available until
expended, to address humanitarian needs, including the
provision of emergency food and shelter, of vulnerable
populations and communities: Provided, That such amount is
designated by the Congress as being for an emergency
requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Department of State
migration and refugee assistance
For an additional amount for ``Migration and Refugee
Assistance'', $3,495,000,000, to remain available until
expended, to address humanitarian needs of vulnerable
populations and communities: Provided, That such amount is
designated by the Congress as being for an emergency
requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE
Department of State
international narcotics control and law enforcement
For an additional amount for ``International Narcotics
Control and Law Enforcement'', $75,000,000, to remain
available until September 30, 2025, for assistance for the
Middle East, following consultation with the appropriate
congressional committees, including to enhance law
enforcement capabilities, counter terrorism, combat narcotics
trafficking, and meet other critical partner requirements:
Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as
being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section
251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit
Control Act of 1985.
peacekeeping operations
For an additional amount for ``Peacekeeping Operations'',
$10,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2025,
including for a United States contribution to the
Multinational Force and Observers mission in the Sinai to
enhance force protection capabilities: Provided, That such
amount is designated by the Congress as being for an
emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of
the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of
1985.
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, for assistance for Israel and for related
expenses: Provided, 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 in this
Act shall, as agreed by the United States and Israel, be
available for advanced weapons systems, of which up to
$769,300,000 may be available for the procurement in Israel
of defense articles and defense services: Provided further,
That the limitation in the preceding proviso may be exceeded,
if agreed by the United States and Israel, following
consultation with the Committees on Appropriations: Provided
further, That any congressional notification requirement
applicable to funds made available under this heading in this
Act for Israel may be waived if the Secretary of State
determines that to do so is in the national security interest
of the United States: Provided further, That up to
$5,000,000 of funds made available under this heading in this
Act, 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 such amount is designated by the Congress as being for
an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i)
of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of
1985.
GENERAL PROVISIONS--THIS TITLE
(including transfers of funds)
Sec. 301. During fiscal year 2024, up to $250,000,000 of
funds deposited in the Consular and Border Security Programs
account in any fiscal year that are available for obligation
may be transferred to, and merged with, funds appropriated by
any Act making appropriations for the Department of State,
foreign operations, and related programs under the headings
``Diplomatic Programs'' (including for Worldwide Security
Protection) and ``Emergencies in the Diplomatic and Consular
Service'' for emergency evacuations or to prevent or respond
to security situations and related requirements: Provided,
That such transfer authority is in addition to any other
transfer authority provided by law, and any such transfers
are subject to prior consultation with, and the regular
notification procedures of, the Committees on Appropriations.
Sec. 302. During fiscal year 2024, section 506(a)(1) of
the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2318(a)(1))
shall be applied by substituting ``$7,800,000,000'' for
``$100,000,000''.
Sec. 303. During fiscal year 2024, section 506(a)(2)(B) of
the Foreign Assistance Act of
[[Page H2609]]
1961 (22 U.S.C. 2318(a)(2)(B)) shall be applied by
substituting ``$400,000,000'' for ``$200,000,000'' in the
matter preceding clause (i), and by substituting
``$150,000,000'' for ``$75,000,000'' in clause (i).
Sec. 304. During fiscal year 2024, section 552(c)(2) of
the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2348a(c)(2))
shall be applied by substituting ``$50,000,000'' for
``$25,000,000''.
Sec. 305. Section 12001 of the Department of Defense
Appropriations Act, 2005 (Public Law 108-287) 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''.
(3) In subsection (c), by inserting before the comma in the
first sentence the following: ``, or as far in advance of
such transfer as is practicable as determined by the
President on a case-by-case basis during extraordinary
circumstances impacting the national security of the United
States''.
Sec. 306. For 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. 307. (a) Funds appropriated by this Act under the
headings ``International Disaster Assistance'' and
``Migration and Refugee Assistance'' may be transferred to,
and merged with, funds appropriated by this Act under such
headings.
(b) Funds appropriated by this Act under the headings
``International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement'',
``Peacekeeping Operations'', and ``Foreign Military Financing
Program'' may be transferred to, and merged with, funds
appropriated by this Act under such headings.
(c) The transfer authorities provided by this section are
in addition to any other transfer authority provided by law,
and are subject to prior consultation with, and the regular
notification procedures of, the Committees on Appropriations.
(d) Upon a determination that all or part of the funds
transferred pursuant to the authorities provided by this
section are not necessary for such purposes, such amounts may
be transferred back to such appropriations.
Sec. 308. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act and prior Acts making appropriations
for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related
programs may be made available for a contribution, grant, or
other payment to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency,
notwithstanding any other provision of law.
Sec. 309. (a) Certification.--The Secretary of State shall
certify and report to the appropriate congressional
committees not later than fifteen days after the date of
enactment of this Act, that--
(1) oversight policies, processes, and procedures have been
established by the Department of State and the United States
Agency for International Development, as appropriate, and are
in use to prevent the diversion, misuse, or destruction of
assistance, including through international organizations, to
Hamas and other terrorist and extremist entities in Gaza; and
(2) such policies, processes, and procedures have been
developed in coordination with other bilateral and
multilateral donors and the Government of Israel, as
appropriate.
(b) Oversight Policy and Procedures.--The Secretary of
State and the USAID Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees, concurrent with the
submission of the certification required in subsection (a), a
written description of the oversight policies, processes, and
procedures for funds appropriated by this title that are made
available for assistance for Gaza, including specific actions
to be taken should such assistance be diverted, misused, or
destroyed, and the role of Israel in the oversight of such
assistance.
(c) Requirement to Inform.--The Secretary of State and
USAID Administrator shall promptly inform the appropriate
congressional committees of each instance in which funds
appropriated by this title that are made available for
assistance for Gaza have been diverted, misused, or
destroyed, to include the type of assistance, a description
of the incident and parties involved, and an explanation of
the response of the Department of State or USAID, as
appropriate.
(d) Third Party Monitoring.--Funds appropriated by this
title shall be made available for third party monitoring of
assistance for Gaza, including end use monitoring, following
consultation with the appropriate congressional committees.
(e) Offices of Inspectors General.--
(1) Department of State.--Of the funds appropriated by this
title under the heading ``Office of Inspector General'' for
the Department of State, $4,000,000 shall be made available
for the oversight and monitoring of assistance made available
for Gaza by this title and in prior Acts making
appropriations for the Department of State, foreign
operations, and related programs.
(2) United States Agency For International Development.--Of
the funds appropriated by this title under the heading
``Office of Inspector General'' for USAID, $3,000,000 shall
be made available for the oversight and monitoring of
assistance made available for Gaza by this title and in prior
Acts making appropriations for the Department of State,
foreign operations, and related programs.
(f) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the initial
obligation of funds appropriated by this title that are made
available for assistance for Gaza, and every 90 days
thereafter until all such funds are expended, the Secretary
of State and the USAID Administrator shall jointly submit to
the appropriate congressional committees a report detailing
the amount and purpose of such assistance provided during
each respective quarter, including a description of the
specific entity implementing such assistance.
(g) Assessment.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act and every 90 days thereafter until
September 30, 2025, the Secretary of State, in consultation
with the Director of National Intelligence and other heads of
elements of the intelligence community that the Secretary
considers relevant, shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a report assessing whether funds
appropriated by this title and made available for assistance
for the West Bank and Gaza have been diverted by Hamas or
other terrorist and extremist entities in the West Bank and
Gaza: Provided, That such report shall include details on the
amount and how such funds were made available and used by
such entities: Provided further, That such report may be
submitted in classified form, if necessary.
(h) Consultation.--Not later than 30 days after the date of
enactment of this Act but prior to the initial obligation of
funds made available by this title for humanitarian
assistance for Gaza, the Secretary of State and USAID
Administrator, as appropriate, shall consult with the
Committees on Appropriations on the amount and anticipated
uses of such funds.
Sec. 310. Prior to the initial obligation of funds made
available in this title in this Act, but not later than 15
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary
of State shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations--
(1) spend plans, as defined in section 7034(s)(4) of the
Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
Appropriations Act, 2023 (division K of Public Law 117-328),
at the country, account, and program level, for funds
appropriated by this Act under the headings ``International
Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement'', ``Peacekeeping
Operations'' and ``Foreign Military Financing Program'':
Provided, That plans submitted pursuant to this paragraph
shall include for each program notified--(A) total funding
made available for such program, by account and fiscal year;
(B) funding that remains unobligated for such program from
prior year base or supplemental appropriations; (C) funding
that is obligated but unexpended for such program; and (D)
funding committed, but not yet notified for such program; and
(2) operating plans, as defined in section 7062 of the
Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
Appropriations Act, 2023 (division K of Public Law 117-328),
for funds appropriated by this title under the headings
``Diplomatic Programs'' and ``Emergencies in the Diplomatic
and Consular Service''.
TITLE IV
GENERAL PROVISIONS--THIS ACT
Sec. 401. Each amount appropriated or made available by
this Act is in addition to amounts otherwise appropriated for
the fiscal year involved.
Sec. 402. 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. 403. 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. 404. (a) Not later than 45 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in
consultation with the heads of other relevant Federal
agencies, as appropriate, shall brief the appropriate
congressional committees, in classified form, if necessary,
on the status and welfare of hostages being held in Gaza.
(b) For purposes of this section, the term ``appropriate
congressional committees'' means the following:
(1) The Committees on Appropriations, Armed Services, and
Foreign Relations of the Senate.
(2) The Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.
(3) The Committees on Appropriations, Armed Services, and
Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.
(4) The Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the
House of Representatives.
Sec. 405. Funds appropriated by this Act for foreign
assistance (including foreign military sales), for the
Department of State, for broadcasting subject to supervision
of United States Agency for Global Media, and for
intelligence or intelligence related activities are deemed to
be specifically authorized by the Congress for the purposes
of section 10 of Public Law 91-672 (22 U.S.C. 2412), section
15 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22
U.S.C. 2680), section 313 of the Foreign Relations
Authorization
[[Page H2610]]
Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 (22 U.S.C. 6212), and section
504(a)(1) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C.
3094(a)(1)).
Sec. 406. Each amount designated in this Act by the
Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to
section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985 shall be available (or repurposed
or rescinded, if applicable) only if the President
subsequently so designates all such amounts and transmits
such designations to the Congress.
Sec. 407. 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, and subsequently so designated
by the President, and transferred pursuant to transfer
authorities provided by this Act shall retain such
designation.
spending reduction account
Sec. 408. $0.
This Act may be cited as the ``Israel Security
Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The bill shall be debatable for 30 minutes
equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member
of the Committee on Appropriations or their respective designees.
The gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert) and the gentlewoman from
Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro) each will control 15 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert).
General Leave
Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
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
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer H.R. 8034, the Israel Security
Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024.
This bill provides $26.38 billion to fortify America's support of
Israeli allies and defend our troops in the region.
It is part of a larger package of three security supplemental
appropriations acts before us for Israel, Ukraine, and the Indo-
Pacific. All three are essential to deter our adversaries.
There are moments when our actions are optional, a convenience but
not a necessity, a choice. This is not one of those moments.
The world is in chaos. Americans have been killed, and our allies and
partners are dying on the front lines every day.
Ukraine is entering its third year of a war to repel Russia's
invasion while forced to conserve their munitions and choose which
areas to defend. Israel is avenging its innocent civilians who were
murdered, raped, brutalized, and taken hostage by Hamas while defending
its country from a barrage of Iranian missiles. Indo-Pacific nations
face China daily with strength and resolve, knowing they are likely
next.
{time} 1200
The United States is not on the sidelines in these conflicts. Our
servicemembers are under daily attack in the Red Sea, standing watch
along NATO's eastern flank and being routinely challenged in the Indo-
Pacific. Mr. Speaker, five American flag-draped coffins have returned
home in the past 6 months.
When we go to war, we go to war with what we have. There is no time
to forge new alliances, no ability to reconstruct abandoned production
lines, and no hidden reserve of fully trained and ready troops.
This is the situation our allies and partners in Israel, Ukraine,
Taiwan, and other Indo-Pacific nations face today. It is a situation we
ourselves may face sooner than we think.
Xi, Putin, Khamenei, and terrorist leaders will not back down unless
met with a strong and resolute America, standing shoulder to shoulder
with our constellation of allies and partners. These bills provide the
funding necessary to defeat and deter our enemies.
While the bills carry the names of other countries, there is one
Nation that I care about above all others. That is ours. These
conflicts have exposed the fragility of our defense industrial base and
the dire need to invest in factories, shipyards, and assembly lines
that manufacture the instruments of our national defense.
In recognition of this fact, over $59 billion across these bills go
into our defense industrial base, including $3.3 billion to supercharge
our submarine industrial base; $29.5 billion to replenish our stocks of
U.S. defense systems and services provided to Israel, Ukraine, and
Taiwan; and $1.13 billion to expand procurement and development of
artillery and critical munitions.
Each conflict has its unique needs addressed in these bills,
including: $5.2 billion to replenish Israel's Iron Dome and David's
Sling and procure Iron Beam missile defense systems; $542 million for
unfunded priorities expressly requested by the USINDOPACOM commander;
and $13.8 billion directly to procure U.S. capabilities for Ukraine.
Our servicemen and servicewomen across the globe are being tasked to
operate at a wartime tempo to track, respond, and engage emerging
threats. These bills provide the resources necessary to support their
operations with $11.3 billion for current U.S. operations in Europe and
$2.4 billion for our forces in the Middle East who are under daily
attack.
Mr. Speaker, we have been complacent far too long as our allies and
partners and our own servicemembers have been under attack. This
Congress has a solemn obligation to our military to provide them with
the resources they need to deter and win our Nation's wars.
Douglas MacArthur once said: ``The history of the failure of war can
almost be summed up in two words: too late.''
When conflict occurs, we will fight with what we have and who is with
us.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on these bills
to ensure our military readiness and reinvigorate the American defense
industry.
I encourage them to vote ``yes'' to reinforce our Israeli, Ukrainian,
Taiwanese, and Indo-Pacific allies and partners.
I encourage them to vote ``yes'' so that future generations may write
of what we did here today: They weren't too late.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Israel Security
Supplemental Appropriations Act, which will provide Israel with
desperately needed aid to respond to the horrific October 7 attacks and
protect itself from Iran and its proxies.
What happened in Israel on October 7 was horrifying. On a recent trip
to Israel, I saw firsthand the remnants of the violence that innocent
people were subjected to, including the site of the Supernova Sukkot
Gathering music festival that Hamas attacked, Kibbutz Be'eri and the
homes where so many were massacred, and Hostage Square where I met with
families of those taken hostage by Hamas.
The United States has not forgotten October 7. Today, we are
providing the aid Israel has needed since the day Hamas terrorists
killed innocent Israeli civilians in the worst attack on Jewish people
since the Holocaust.
Just last weekend, Israel was openly and directly attacked by Iran. I
applaud the role of the United States in providing Israel with support
in its defense against that attack.
While we must ensure Israel can stand strong in the face of
adversaries like Iran that seek its annihilation, we must also ensure
that every step possible is taken to protect innocent life in Gaza and
elsewhere.
On my trip, we also went to Khirbet Zanutah, a Palestinian village in
the West Bank where settlers destroyed homes and a school. On the trip,
we were also briefed from Gaza by humanitarian organizations, including
UNRWA, which have lost hundreds of staff to the violence.
To that end, I have called for an immediate cease-fire of at least 6
weeks to facilitate the safe delivery of aid to civilians in Gaza. We
must protect aid workers. We must open additional crossings to bring in
at least 500 trucks a day and ensure that food is never used as a
weapon of war.
Innocent families are in danger, children are starving, and civilian
casualties are mounting, not just in Gaza but in conflict zones all
around the world. The more than $9 billion in humanitarian support in
this bill would make sure that we are not leaving Gazans, the
Ukrainians, the Sudanese, the Haitians, or the Rohingya behind.
[[Page H2611]]
We must pass this bill and ensure Israel has the resources it needs
to defend itself and that much-needed humanitarian aid can flow to
millions of vulnerable people around the world.
Mr. Speaker, I urge your support, and I reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. Clyde), a member of the Appropriations Committee.
Mr. CLYDE. Mr. Speaker, I will always stand with our greatest ally in
the Middle East, Israel, but I rise today to express my serious
concerns with a very flawed supplemental.
In November, I supported the first security supplemental for Israel,
which was financially paid for and would have provided weapons and
equipment for Israel's fight against Hamas. The cost was offset by
rescinding the Democrats' unprecedented expansion of the IRS.
Today, we are considering a vastly different bill, one that is all
borrowing, another $26 billion of debt with no rescissions.
The legislation also contains $400 million for FEMA, which has
nothing to do with supporting Israel, and over $9 billion for
humanitarian aid in Hamas-controlled Gaza and the West Bank.
A report from The Heritage Foundation stated: ``The problem with aid
diversion to Hamas and other terrorist groups plagues all international
and nongovernmental aid organizations operating in Gaza. . . .
``It is therefore highly likely that U.S. taxpayer-funded
humanitarian aid to Gaza, including some of the aid in this bill, would
again be diverted to support further Hamas attacks against Israel.''
Why would we knowingly be sending money into the hands of Hamas in
any bill? If we are feeding Gaza, we are feeding Hamas. Therefore, with
great disappointment, I cannot in good conscience vote for this bill.
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 rise in strong support of this legislation
and all of the bills that will address the issues at hand.
I often say it is never too late to do the right thing, but waiting
to do the right thing comes at a cost. We saw that cost in Israel this
week as an emboldened Iran launched an unprecedented attack on our
ally.
For Ukraine, the cost of our inaction is great, if incalculable. It
is measured in Ukrainian lives, towns, and territory lost. For 478
days, Congress' words of support fell silent on Ukrainian ears deafened
by air raid sirens, artillery bombardments, and drone attacks.
Today, we act. We act to make it clear to the world that America is
still the defender of freedom, democracy, and international law--as
well as our friends and allies--and the opponent of tyrants and
terrorists.
I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.'' Vote ``yes'' to show Jews in
Israel, America, and beyond, that this Congress will always stand up
for their safety.
Vote ``yes'' to demonstrate to Russia, Iran, North Korea, and every
other authoritarian despot and to terrorists everywhere that America
remains committed to defending freedom here and around the world.
Let our bipartisan support for our allies endure in the months ahead,
whether it is to secure the release of the 134 hostages held captive in
Gaza or to turn back Putin's criminal invasion.
The voice of resolve and opposition to tyranny must not be muted, nor
should it be delayed. Let us pray that the majority that speaks today
will remain loud and clear for all to hear.
Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
California (Mr. McClintock).
Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, Ukraine and Israel are in growing danger
and running out of arms and ammunition while China casts a hungry eye
on Taiwan. History warns us of allowing aggression to grow unchecked
and of how quickly events in an unstable world can unravel.
Profligate spending is exhausting our resources and damaging our
economy, but as Reagan reminded us, defense is not a budget issue. You
spend what you need to spend. Although the defense of these besieged
nations is one step removed from our own, it would be a very good thing
to keep it that way.
I regret that the three military aid bills are larded up with about
$20 billion of economic handouts, but we are out of options, and we are
out of time. I am afraid that is the price we now have to pay for
months of dithering in this House. Without these bills today, we and
the world risk a future butcher's bill that is incalculable.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz), the ranking member of the Subcommittee
on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies.
Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, it is incomprehensible that the
Israeli hostages captured on Simchat Torah are still in Hamas'
captivity as we approach Passover. I rise to finally provide long
overdue aid to our ally Israel as she fights to defend herself against
threats on multiple fronts.
On October 7, Hamas launched a massacre that led to the deadliest day
for Jews since the Holocaust. Hamas murdered, raped, and captured
Israelis, Americans, Jews, Muslims, Christians, and people from dozens
of countries.
Hamas broke a cease-fire and declared war on humanity. Since that
bloody day, Hamas terrorists have promised to carry out the attack
again and again.
I recently visited Israel for the third time since October 7. I saw
the realities of Hamas' dedication to annihilate Israel. I will never
be able to unsee the images at the Nova Festival site where Hamas
massacred hundreds of young people. The road leading toward the site is
littered with burn marks where cars with people fleeing for their lives
were burned alive on the spot. You walk into the festival site and see
hundreds of memorials to the innocent victims who were murdered in cold
blood.
At Kibbutz Kfar Aza, we saw homes riddled with bullet holes and
burned to the ground with people still in them.
This is what Israel is up against. This is what Israel must defend
against, maniacal terrorism dedicated to the destruction of not just
the State of Israel but of all Jews.
Israel fights not only to destroy Hamas' Iran-backed military
capabilities but to send a clear message to our adversaries who seek to
erase the Jewish state: You will not be successful.
President Biden, Leader Jeffries, and Democrats have fought for
months to send this critical security assistance, as well as lifesaving
humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people, who are also victims of
Hamas. A vote against this bill is a vote to deny that aid.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this vital effort to help Israel
in this existential battle and aid civilians, and I urge my colleagues
to join me to free Gaza from Hamas. ``The people of Israel live.'' ``Am
Yisrael Chai.''
Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Lawler).
Mr. LAWLER. Mr. Speaker, our country is at a most critical juncture.
Do we take a step back, watch our allies fall, and allow terror to
spread? Or do we stand strong as the leader of the free world and stand
up for our allies and take on our adversaries?
To me, the answer is clear. The legislation we are debating today has
the potential to turn the tide in Ukraine, protect our ally Israel, and
deter China from attacking Taiwan.
There is no question that under the Biden administration the world
has become a tinderbox. Conflict is erupting across the globe. Our
allies are under attack.
{time} 1215
China, Russia, and Iran are engaged in an unholy alliance seeking to
undermine and destabilize the U.S., Israel, and the free world.
We are the leader of the free world. It requires us to lead. We
cannot abdicate the responsibilities that come along with it.
The time for choosing is here. The time for action is now. I choose
to act in defense of freedom, democracy, and America's role in the
world.
I support aid to our allies. I support holding our adversaries
accountable. I support America being that shining city upon a hill.
We cannot give in. Victory at all costs.
[[Page H2612]]
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman
from Florida (Ms. Lois Frankel), who is a member of the Appropriations
Committee.
Ms. LOIS FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this
bill, which sends military aid to Israel to defend herself, protects
U.S. troops in the Middle East, and provides urgently needed food and
medicine to those suffering in places like Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine.
Mr. Speaker, my grandfather Abe fled Europe as the Nazis took over
and murdered 6 million Jews. Today, almost one-half of the world's
Jewish population, over 7 million people, live in Israel.
With calls of ``from the river to the sea,'' Iran's regime and its
proxies have vowed to wipe Israel off the map. Hezbollah fires rockets.
Hamas brutally attacks innocent Israelis, raping women and taking
hostages. Iran sends a barrage of missiles as it builds its arsenal.
Make no mistake, Mr. Speaker, Iran is not our friend either. Israel's
security is our security, and without our attention and resources, the
Middle East is at risk.
The funding in this bill will save lives with missile defense for our
ally, protecting our troops in the Middle East, and humanitarian aid
for the heartbreaking need around the world.
Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Kean).
Mr. KEAN of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R.
8034, the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024.
This bill will ensure that Israel has the means to defeat its enemies
and defend its people. This legislation also sends a signal to Iran and
its proxies that the United States stands with its allies and partners
in the Middle East and will remain a strong presence in the region.
I also urge support for the Ukraine Security Supplemental
Appropriations Act, 2024. Ukraine is fighting for its life every day
against Vladimir Putin. Make no mistake, Mr. Speaker, Putin is seeking
to extend his control over Central and Eastern Europe, including
nations that are now NATO allies. He does not recognize national
sovereignty or borders. Putin is deepening his ties with Iran.
These bills are not only for the security and preservation of Israel,
Ukraine, and Taiwan but also for continued American leadership on the
world stage. We must stand together with our allies and partners and
against authoritarianism.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman
from Wisconsin (Mr. Pocan), who is a member of the Appropriations
Committee.
Mr. POCAN. Mr. Speaker, since the October 7 Hamas attack, Netanyahu
has responded with a widespread bombing campaign in Gaza.
Just yesterday, nine Palestinians were killed in a strike near Rafah,
six being children. This is anything but going after Hamas. This is a
collective punishment of all Palestinians in Gaza.
Netanyahu doesn't support the United States' position of a two-state
solution for peace. He doesn't respect our urges not to invade Rafah.
He disputes what the U.S. and aid groups have said about famine taking
over in Gaza. He launched an attack on Iran after the White House told
him not to.
If he is not listening to us on matters of international security,
how can he be trusted with more offensive weapons? Enough is enough.
I support the people of Israel, who don't want bombs raining on them
from extremists in Gaza, and the hostages must be released. I also
support the Palestinians, who deserve human rights and dignity.
Mr. Speaker, 35,000 people have been killed, and thousands more will
die from starvation and disease. We are better than that, and so is
Israel. I am not sure Netanyahu is, and that is why I can't vote to
provide him with more unconditional offensive weapons today.
Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote.
Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Smith.)
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, the United States must make
absolutely clear in both word and deed, not just today but every day,
and without equivocation that we stand with Israel.
Both defensive weapons systems like Iron Dome and David's Sling and
all necessary offensive military capabilities must be conveyed without
delay to Israel for as long as it takes to defeat Hamas and deter Iran,
Hezbollah, and other radical Islamists.
Of significance, H.R. 8034 prohibits aid to Gaza from flowing through
UNRWA, an anti-Semitic and disgraceful organization that teaches
Palestinian children to hate Jews and glorifies suicidal martyrdom and
the evisceration of Israel as a state.
UNRWA is a child soldier factory that we have funded for decades.
Twenty-one years ago on this floor, in 2003, I offered an amendment
that passed the House to defund UNRWA. The Senate never acted. A few
weeks ago, the Foreign Affairs Committee passed my bill to stop UNRWA
funding.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my friends for bringing this bill to the floor.
It defunds UNRWA.
Israel has an absolute right to exist free from aggression and anti-
Semitic hate.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Sherman).
Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to focus on the 40 percent of this
bill that gets little or no attention. It provides $9.1 billion in
humanitarian aid, and that aid is un-earmarked.
So at a hearing last week, I got the administration to go on record
as to where that money will be spent.
It will be spent in Haiti where 80 percent of the capital is in the
hands of gangs and hundreds of thousands have been forced to flee.
It will be spent in Sudan where 18 million people face ``acute food
insecurity'' due to civil war.
It will be spent in Ethiopia, where we have seen the highest casualty
war of this decade. Five hundred thousand Tigrayans have died, and now
millions face famine.
It will be spent in eastern Congo where 7 million people have been
displaced by war. It will be spent on the 1.1 million Rohingya in
camps, where they are due to ethnic cleansing by Myanmar, and where
rations have recently been cut by 30 percent due to lack of funding.
It will be spent in Armenia where 120,000 refugees are there because
of Azerbaijan's ethnic cleansing.
It will be spent to meet the critical needs in Gaza.
This bill will save hundreds of thousands, I believe millions, of
lives. Vote ``yes.''
Mr. Speaker, I commend President Biden for putting this whole package
together back in October. It is time to pass it now.
Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick).
Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, several months ago, a bipartisan group
of my colleagues and I introduced a bill, the Defending Borders,
Defending Democracies Act, and that is exactly what we will be voting
on today.
First, as far as defending our border from cartels, there are 200
kids today dying in this country from fentanyl that we can trace
directly back to that southern border. That is the equivalent of a
Boeing 747 aircraft crashing every single day and nobody caring about
it. We have to fix our southern border.
Second, we are also going to defend the borders of our democratic
allies, Israel, Taiwan, and Ukraine--Taiwan and Ukraine from being
invaded by communist dictators, and Israel from being invaded by
terrorists.
I would hope we could all agree on those two concepts in this
Chamber. We have to defend borders and defend democracies.
Mr. Speaker, you can't pick and choose which one of those you are
going to support. That is hypocritical and intellectually inconsistent.
We need to defend our border and the borders of Ukraine, Israel, and
Taiwan, all of the above. I am proudly going to vote for all three.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from
North Carolina (Ms. Manning).
Ms. MANNING. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 8034, the
long-overdue aid to our democratic ally Israel.
Israel is fighting an existential battle against Iran and its
proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah. I have seen with my own eyes the gruesome
devastation
[[Page H2613]]
wrought by Hamas' October 7 terrorist attack, and I worry every day
about the hostages who are still being held by Hamas.
Last Saturday, Iran unleashed an unprecedented attack on Israel with
300 drones and missiles. If only one ballistic missile had hit its
target, there would have been a devastating loss of life, loss of Jews,
Muslims, and Christians.
I ask my colleagues to remember that a ``no'' vote would deny much-
needed humanitarian aid and much-needed funding for the Nonprofit
Security Grant Program to help high-risk religious institutions in our
country.
The world is watching to see if we will stand with our allies, with
Israel and Ukraine, in their time of need.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''
Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from
South Carolina (Mr. Wilson).
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, we are in a war we didn't
choose. Dictators with rule of gun are invading democracies with rule
of law.
We see this with the invasion by Putin, but I am really grateful to
see the bipartisanship here today.
Donald Trump established the Embassy in Jerusalem. He stood with
Israel. He sent Javelin missiles to stop Putin in Ukraine. He put
American troops in Poland to stop war criminal Putin. It was Donald
Trump who tried to stop Nord Stream 2, which finances the oppression by
Putin of the people of Russia, leading to the assassination of Alexei
Navalny.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from
Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, we can do no less than to come to this
floor today to be the America that we have been known around the world
to have become, and that is a freedom-loving democracy standing for and
watching our men and women go overseas, in many instances to shed their
blood for others as well as the American people.
I cannot stand by while babies die and while mothers lose their
babies in their wombs.
I stand today so that we can make sure that the people in Gaza
continuously have the funding that is necessary and that Israel and
Ukraine can stand up for others while they are fighting for democracy.
It is important to take note that our allies include Taiwan, as well.
It is important to note, as well, that the future of America is not
yesterday. It is now.
Are we going to accept the challenge of being the kind of nation that
does not only stand for itself but fights for others?
Let us vote for this funding bill because the war must end in peace
and must end now. End the war now in peace.
Mr. Speaker, I rise here today to express my support for the National
Security Supplemental package to not only help our foreign allies but
to also help protect our national interests here at home.
We need to reinvigorate our industrial base and provide Ukraine and
Israel with critically needed security assistance and these bills do
exactly that.
This package further helps U.S. national security interests by
investing in our submarine industrial base and in other systems vital
to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
We must vote to pass this supplemental package which provides over
$95 billion in funding for critical bipartisan national security
priorities included in the following outlined bills.
H.R. 8038--21st Century Peace through Strength Act
I want to express support this bill, which contains a number of
Republican and bipartisan bills that are generally related to sanctions
on Russia and Iran.
And notably, the majority of the bills that make up this package
passed the House under suspension of the Rules.
The Ranking Member will vote in support of H.R. 8038.
In particular, this sidecar bill includes the following:
A modified version of H.R. 4l75--REPO for Ukrainians Act which would
authorize the President to seize Russian sovereIgn assets.
In addition to H.R. 7520--Protecting Americans' Data from Foreign
Adversaries act of 2024, which would protect Americans' sensitive
personal data by prohibiting data brokers from profiting off our data
by selling that data to foreign adversaries or entities controlled by
foreign adversaries.
And H.R. 7521--Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversaries
Controlled Applications--Act, which further seeks to protect Americans'
sensitive data from foreign adversaries by forcing the social media
platform TikTok's Chinese parent company to divest or face a ban in the
US.
While this is certainly a commendable effort to combat the threat of
foreign adversary-controlled applications, I must also express my
general support for the use of social media platforms in this digital
age.
Any restrictions on the use of globally used platforms must also be
done with careful consideration and protection of the incredible
national and global benefits.
H.R. 8036--Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024
This bill allocates $8.12 billion to counter and deter the Chinese
Communist Party's involvement in the Indo-Pacific region.
Specifically, the bill allots $2 billion to the Foreign Military
Financing Program (FMF) for Taiwan and other key stakeholders in the
region and expands the use of FMF loans to additional countries;
$1.9 billion to replenish defensive capabilities provided to Taiwan
and others in the Indo-Pacific, with an additional $542 million to
strengthen U.S. military capability;
and $3.3 billion to develop and augment U.S. submarine infrastructure
in the region.
H.R. 8035--Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024
This bill provides a direly needed $60.84 billion to bolster Ukraine
in the face of the ongoing Russian assault.
$23.2 billion of this pot will go to replenishing U.S. weapons,
equipment stocks, and defensive capability expended on behalf of or
sent to Ukraine, while $13.8 billion is flagged for procurement of new
weapons and defensive capabilities.
$11.3 billion will also go to current U.S. military operations in the
region.
Providing this aid to Ukraine is necessary and long overdue.
As we are all reminded that on February 24, 2022, Russia, under the
leadership of Vladimir Putin, launched a premeditated war against
Ukraine in an attack on democracy and a grave violation of
international law, global peace, and security.
The war has caused Ukrainian women and children to become more
vulnerable to being trafficked.
The unjust and brutal war put millions of Ukrainian women and
children at risk of trafficking, millions of children have been
deprived of their education and are experiencing trauma, and according
to a report by Yale University, more than 6,000 children are in
Russians custody.
According to a report by Yale University Humanitarian Research Lab
(Yale HRL), at least 6,000 children from Ukraine ages four months to 17
years have been held at camps and other facilities within Russia-
occupied Crimea and mainland Russia since Russia's full-scale invasion
began.
As reported by the Ukrainian Ministry of Education, over 400 schools
have been destroyed and an additional 2,600 schools are damaged across
Ukraine.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reports that 90
percent of the 5.8 million refugees who have fled Ukraine for Europe
are women and children.
That is why I introduced H.R. 5800, The Oleksandr Ivanov Act.
My bill imposes financial blocking and visa sanctions on any foreign
person or organization that the President or Secretary of the Treasury,
in consultation with the Secretary of State, determine are responsible
for engaging in or facilitating the transfer of Ukrainian children to
Russia or Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine or for their forced
assimilation, adoption, or placement in a foster Home, and engaging in
or facilitating the human trafficking of Ukrainian refugees.
The Oleksandr Ivanov Act also contains a provision that requires the
Department of State to submit a report on United States efforts for
reintegrating Ukrainian children affected by the war--including but not
limited to: supporting the rebuilding and redevelopment of the
Ukrainian education system, and the implementation of mental health
supports to address trauma and family separations.
Holding Russia accountable for war crimes is crucial.
There can be no impunity for these heinous crimes.
H.R. 8034--Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024
This important bill appropriates $26.38 billion to support our ally
Israel and provide critical global humanitarian assistance.
A combined $5.2 billion will go towards replenishing or bolstering
the Iron Dome, Iron Beam, and David's Sling.
$3.5 billion is set aside for the procurement of weapons and other
defensive capabilities, with an additional $4.4 billion tagged to
replenish U.S. defensive reserves.
$2.4 billion will be appropriated for current U.S. military
operations in the region in response to recent attacks.
[[Page H2614]]
And $9.2 billion is specifically held for humanitarian assistance in
Gaza and around the world.
Supporting this supplemental funding is critical to help Israel
protect its people against the threats it faces from Hamas and Iran and
its other proxies, including Hezbollah.
This supplemental would provide urgent life-saving humanitarian
assistance for Palestinian civilians in Gaza and vulnerable people
suffering around the globe.
For these reasons, I ask my colleagues to come together and encourage
the House to pass these important measures expeditiously.
Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire how much time is remaining.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from California has 3\1/2\
minutes remaining.
Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to
close.
This bill provides urgently needed humanitarian aid for millions of
civilians who have been caught in the crossfire across many theaters,
whether it is Ukraine against Russian aggression; Israel in its war
against Iran and its proxies like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis; or
our Indo-Pacific partners against an adversarial China.
Innocent families are in danger today. Children are starving, and
civilian casualties are mounting in conflict zones all around the
world. The humanitarian support in this bill would make sure that we
are not leaving these people behind.
{time} 1230
It is, again, so critically important that the United States
demonstrate its support for its allies, and its leadership when it
comes to humanitarian assistance, wherever it is needed.
We come here to govern. We come here to take our responsibilities
seriously, and I believe that the majority of people here do take
responsibilities seriously.
Today, we have the ability to help to make a difference. In this
piece of legislation, in addition to our support for our ally, Israel,
we have the moral responsibility to provide humanitarian assistance.
The United States cannot stand by and watch people starve to death and
be caught in crossfires without our standing up and saying: ``No.''
I urge my colleagues to vote for this bill. As I said at another
meeting this week, the moment has met us. We need to meet that moment
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, in closing, this is a day we are going to
act. I urge all my colleagues to support these critical national
security bills. They provide the resources necessary to bolster our
military, reassure our allies and partners, and commit to stand against
tyranny.
The world is waiting, watching, and wanting America to lead. This is
our moment.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Israel suffered a tragic loss on
October 7, 2023. The people of Israel are in mourning. The lives of
innocent civilian Israeli men, women, and especially children matter.
They must be protected. This includes the hostages, all of whom must be
immediately returned in tandem with a lasting ceasefire as the genesis
of a two-state solution.
After the horrific human rights violations committed by Hamas on
October 7, 2023, the Netanyahu administration had just cause catalyzing
a de jure right to pursue justice as it did by declaring war on Hamas,
not hundreds of thousands of innocent civilian Palestinian men, women,
and especially children.
To the contrary, and shamefully, Prime Minister Netanyahu has engaged
in an unjust, revengeful, might-makes-right offense, creating more
enemies than have been killed. He has engaged in lethal atrocities
wherein the ends of destroying Hamas justifies:
Killing thousands of innocent civilian Palestinian children;
Collectively harming thousands upon thousands of innocent civilian
Palestinian men, women, and especially children;
Failing to properly aid hundreds of thousands of food-deprived
Palestinians; and
Committing domicide by destroying approximately 62 percent of
Palestinian homes in Gaza, as well as damaging at least 84 percent of
Gaza's health facilities, together with over 275 schools.
It has become intuitively and painfully obvious to me that Prime
Minister Netanyahu's definition of ``the right to defend'' embraces an
invidious ends-justifies-the-means strategy. This imprudent and unjust
strategy of domicide, collective harm, and failure to feed the hungry,
in tandem with the killing of thousands of innocent Palestinian
children, cannot in good conscience receive a blind eye.
No one, no political entity, no country can commit such atrocious
injustices in the name of justice and expect the blessings of people of
good will. Injustice in the name of justice is still an injustice.
Israel's de jure right (in the hands of Prime Minister Netanyahu) to
defend itself in the name of justice has metamorphosed into
unconscionable de facto human rights violations that offend the
conscience and grievously tarnishes Israel's global image. In truth,
Prime Minister Netanyahu's might-makes-right, by any means necessary--
war--is making Israel an existential threat to Palestinians living in
Gaza.
I cannot in good conscience oppose the above-cited atrocious
transgressions and contemporaneously provide the munitions which can
beget more of these God-awful inhumanities. Sadly, but righteously, I
cannot vote to send the pending billions of supplemental funds to the
opprobrious administration of Prime Minister Netanyahu. To do so would
allow those funds, or free up other funds in their treasury, to
purchase the lethality to kill more innocent civilian Palestinian men,
women, and especially children, which I oppose.
Palestinians (like Israelis) are in mourning, and the lives of
innocent civilian Palestinian men, women, and especially children
matter. They too must be protected.
For the reasons enumerated above, I will vote no on The Israel
Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time for debate has expired.
Pursuant to House Resolution 1160, 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. Under clause 10 of rule XX, the yeas and
nays are ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this question
are postponed.
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