Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024
Floor Speech
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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.
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.
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Ms. GRANGER. 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.
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.
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Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I urge the support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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