Chairman Burgess Opening Remarks on H.R. 8034, 8035, 8036, and 8038

As prepared for delivery

Good morning.

President Biden's weakness not only shattered our national security-it shattered global security. From the disastrous retreat in Afghanistan to an unprecedented attack on our greatest ally, the President's weakness has created a state of affairs that was unthinkable just a few short years ago. America and our partners deserve far better.

House Republicans have warned President Biden time and time again of a simple truth-weakness invites aggression. He obviously didn't listen. But don't take my word for it-take the word of President Obama's former Secretary of Defense who said that "he has been wrong on nearly every major foreign policy and national security issue over the past four decades."

Nevertheless, we are stepping up and delivering critical aid to our allies in a world destabilized by his failed leadership.

Today, the Rules Committee will consider several bills designed to aid Israel, Taiwan, and Ukraine as they each face grave threats to their very existence. They're in these dangerous situations not in spite of President Biden's leadership but because of it.

H.R. 8034, the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act will provide much-needed material support to the Jewish state as it faces twin threats from Hamas and the Islamic Republic of Iran. For decades, America's ironclad support for Israel always formed the foundation of its security. President Biden dismantled that foundation through his continued efforts to appease his radical base at their expense.

What's more, his financial appeasement of Iran added fuel to the fire. For example, his administration reissued a sanctions waiver, and renewed it again last month, that gave them access to more than $10 billion. That certainly didn't make it harder for the world's largest state-sponsor of terrorism to wage a campaign of violence.

H.R. 8034 delivers $26.38 billion to support Israel in its effort to defend itself against Iran and its proxies and reimburses the U.S. military for operations in response to recent attacks. Notably, the legislation sets aside $4 billion to replenish Iron Dome and David's Sling missile defense systems. Israel desperately needs this aid-and they need it now.

Iran wasn't the only one taking note of President Biden's weakness. China is happy to watch the United States abandon our place of leadership and has undoubtedly placed Taiwan in its crosshairs because of it. We cannot stand idly by as the likelihood of another authoritarian adversary invading a neighbor increase on this President's watch.

H.R. 8036, the Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act provides $8.12 billion to continued efforts to counter communist China and ensure a strong deterrence in the region. Within that figure, $3.3 billion is appropriated for submarine infrastructure and $2 billion for the Foreign Military Financing Program. We cannot afford to wake up in a world where we were too late to come to Taiwan's aid.

Ukraine is yet another flashpoint in Biden's broken world order. Before Vladimir Putin's brutal invasion, the President recklessly signaled he would accept a "minor incursion." Ukrainians pay for that horrific misstep each and every day.

H.R. 8035, the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act provides for critical funding while also safeguarding American generosity. The bill supplies $13.8 billion for the procurement of advanced weapons systems, defense articles, and defense services. It also appropriates $23.2 billion to replenish defense articles and services provided to Ukraine.

Finally, the Rules Committee will also consider H.R. 8038, the 21st Century Peace through Strength Act. This last item will bolster the tools we have available to respond to evolving threats in President Biden's dangerous new reality.

As always, I look forward to a fulsome debate on the pressing issues facing this nation.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.