Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024

Floor Speech

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Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, and still I rise. Let me be absolutely clear, I vehemently oppose the ideology and actions of Hamas as demonstrated by my vote in favor of H. Res. 793, which, among other things, condemned Hamas for attacking Israel, taking hostages, and for threatening hostages. Moreover, I have voted in favor of over $50 billion in funding for Israel. The Israeli people have suffered a grave injustice. However, committing an injustice in the name of justice is still an injustice. We must take care not to fall into the belief that any action taken in war is justified, especially the mass killing of innocent Palestinian babies when war has been declared on Hamas.

Today, I am compelled to vote against the Israel Supplemental Legislation that Speaker Johnson brought to the floor. I take this stance because of the humanitarian disaster that now exists in Gaza. This bill's narrow focus on only providing military aid to Israel, with no accompanying humanitarian aid for the innocent civilians of Gaza, is unconscionable. I cannot ignore the men, women, and especially children in Gaza who are suffering through catastrophic conditions resulting from Israel's war on Hamas. Babies have lost their parents and parents have lost their children to artillery and bombs that were paid for in whole or in part because of U.S. funds provided to Israel. I will not be complicit in the slaughter of innocent babies. Furthermore, the mass destruction in Gaza has resulted in the decimation of homes and infrastructure and has made Gaza unlivable.

The lack of meaningful humanitarian aid from this legislation at a time when Gazan civilians are at risk of starvation, disease, and death is unconscionable. For these and other reasons, I oppose this legislation.

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