Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, Israel is fighting an existential war against Hamas, a death cult dedicated to the genocide of Jews and the annihilation of the Jewish state, while also being attacked by Hezbollah, the IRGC and Iranian proxies, and Houthis.

There is no question that the United States must support our ally, Israel, but to my colleagues, I say it is folly to think that what is happening now in the Middle East is not connected to what is happening concurrently in Ukraine.

If Ukraine falls, the aid we are providing Israel in this bill is only going to be a small downpayment to what will be needed when Israel faces a strengthened Hezbollah, backed by an emboldened Iran, encouraged by a newly-empowered Russia.

And the United States will likely need to spend billions of additional dollars stationing more U.S. troops alongside our NATO allies in Europe.

We are selling ourselves and our allies short by not taking the responsibility of leadership this country should be taking. If we don't continue, it is going to cost our kids and our kids' future.

It is shameful that the Republicans and Speaker Johnson are using our most important ally, Israel, as a political cudgel. It threatens not only Israel's security, but America's security and our children's future.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source