WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. House of Representatives worked into the weekend to vote on five separate bills to address national security concerns, and enhanced threats against American allied nations, including Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan.
Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-05) voted for security supplemental funding for Israel, Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific region, which subsequently passed the House, moving on to the Senate for consideration. The Israel security supplemental bill specifically ensures that humanitarian aid for Gaza is coordinated with Israel, and it prohibits funding for the U.N. Palestinian relief and works agency (UNRWA).
“Israel was victorious in its own defense last weekend, thanks to the Iron Dome and America’s long-time support of our greatest ally in the Middle East. Iran’s attempted attack magnified the urgent need for stronger U.S. support in Israel, as our adversaries around the world continue to be emboldened by the weak military posture of the Biden Administration,” said Congressman Rogers. “Supporting our allies is a matter of national security that we cannot delay or diminish. We cannot afford to fail on the world stage as these brutal attacks continue.”
The Ukraine security supplemental bill includes a loan repayment agreement for economic support, improves oversight of funds, and requires other allied nations to provide funding support for Ukraine as well.
During a Defense budget hearing earlier this week with Pentagon officials, Congressman Rogers expressed concern to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s continued aggression, including the use of landmines on farmland to kill more than 1,000 Ukrainians and to control the nation’s agricultural base.
“Mr. Putin is saying very openly and repeatedly that he wants to restore the old Soviet Union, and all of the nation states in Eastern Europe are looking to us. If we fail them, I think it further fuels Putin’s desire to restore the Soviet Union,” said Congressman Rogers.
The House also passed the bipartisan 21st Century Peace Through Strength Act to implement stronger sanctions against Iran, Russia and China. It counters Iran’s drone and missile programs and inhibits Iran’s oil exports. The bill also requires Russia to pay for the full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine. It also forces TikTok to sever ties with the Chinese Communist Party and protects American data from foreign adversaries. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Congressman Rogers also voted for the End the Border Catastrophe Act, a bill that is nearly identical to legislation passed by House Republicans last year to tighten border security and crack down on illegal immigration. The updated bill would reimburse states for costs incurred while securing the border. More than 7.2 million illegal immigrants have entered the United States during the Biden Administration, which is more than the population of 36 states. House Democrats voted down the bill, while Senate Democrats have refused to take up the House-passed Secure the Border Act since last year, and the Biden Administration has failed to stop the crisis at the U.S. southern border.
“Nothing is more important than our national security. The security supplemental bills are all part of strengthening the United States on the world stage, and we need to do the same at our southern border,” said Congressman Rogers. “Illegal drugs and violent criminals have been flooding into our nation from China and Mexico across our southern border, and the Biden Administration refuses to act. We need to enforce our current laws and put an immediate stop to this crisis.”
For more information about Congressman Rogers’ work on Capitol Hill and at home in Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on social media.
Click here for an overview of the security supplemental bills.
Click here to read the Israel Security Supplemental.
Click here to read the Ukraine Security Supplemental.
Click here to read the Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental.
Click here to read the 21st Century Peace Through Strength Act.
Click here to read the End the Border Catastrophe Act.
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Congressman Hal Rogers
2406 Rayburn House Office Building | Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-4601
