Congresswoman Escobar Votes to Pass National Security Supplement Package

Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) voted in favor of a series of national security bills to provide crucial support for our allies, bolster democracy around the globe, deliver needed humanitarian aid to Gaza, and strengthen security in the Indo-Pacific region. She released the following statement:

"The unrest and conflict around the world require America's global leadership, and today I voted in support of the bipartisan national security supplemental package which stands with our allies, prioritizes democracy abroad, and funds critical national security priorities in Ukraine, the Indo-Pacific, and Israel and the Middle East.

"The supplemental package would provide much-needed funding to assist Ukraine in defending itself against Russia's unprovoked war of aggression, transfer long overdue military assistance including weaponry and equipment, and protect our national interests in the region. Democracy and decency are on the line and the U.S. will continue to stand with our ally and stand up to Putin.

"Additionally, the package bolsters the national security efforts of our Indo-Pacific neighbors in their path to maintain peace in their region. The funding provides investments into world-class nautical and military infrastructure including improving a US submarine industrial base, supports key priorities to forge strong relations with our allies, and plants the seeds for the growth of stability and democracy.

"Just days ago, Americans watched as the United States and other allied nations helped defend Israel against Iranian aggression. Following those attacks and as regional tensions increase in the Middle East, the package supplies substantial and life-saving defensive weapons systems - including the Iron Dome and David's Sling - to Israel, ensuring its ability to defend itself not only against Hamas and Iran, but against Hezbollah and Iran's terroristic proxies, while staving off wider regional conflict. It also increases counterterrorism operations in the region and replenishes the United States' domestic weaponry stockpiles. Also included in this package, and critically important to me, is $9.2 billion in desperately needed humanitarian aid - including for Gaza and war-torn countries, where famine is ravaging civilian populations.

"But my support for the Israel package comes with my continued calls on the administration to use its leverage with Israel to allow more life-saving humanitarian aid to enter Gaza and to hold the Netanyahu government accountable for any violations of international humanitarian law or NSM-20."

The following bills were passed in the national security supplement package:

H.R. 8036 - Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024

The bill provides over $3.3 billion in funding to the Department of State and Department of Defense to assist allies in the Info-Pacific region to enhance the US submarine industrial base, provide aid to the Foreign Military Financing program, reimbursement for defense services provided to Taiwan, and $524.4 million to achieve upcoming FY 25 US-Indo Pacific priorities.

H.R. 8038 - 21st Century Peace through Strength Act

The bill authorizes the President to impose certain sanctions against Russia and Iran, including seizing frozen Russian economic assets to support Ukraine and restricting trade of U.S. goods and technology with Iran. The bill also includes language to support initiatives to combat international drug trafficking and prevents app stores from making applications available that are owned by Byte-Dance, the parent company of TikTok, unless they create an independent company to continue operating in the United States.

H.R. 8035 - Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024

The bill provides $48.3 billion to strengthen Ukraine's military defense by replenishing its weapons inventory and giving additional funding for U.S.-provided defense support. The bill also includes $9.5 billion for the Economic Support Fund for Ukraine to support critical sectors of Ukraine's economy and provide foreign aid for vital programs like migration and refugee assistance.

H.R. 8034 - Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024

The bill provides funding to respond to the ongoing conflict in Israel, support the U.S. military efforts in the region, provide updated military assistance and equipment, give essential humanitarian aid, and establish a network of support for nonprofits, and migrants as well as refugees. Finally, providing resources to expand peacekeeping operations and strengthen law enforcement efforts to combat international drug trafficking.

#

#

#

Public link

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