Rep. Courtney Votes to Pass National Security Aid for Allies Abroad

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) issued the following statement after House passage of three appropriations bills to provide assistance for Ukraine;Israel, Gaza, Africa, and Haiti; and the Indo-Pacific. Earlier this morning, Courtney spoke on the House Floor in strong support of H.R. 8036, Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024. Click here to watch. On Monday, April 15 Courtney spoke on the House Floor in strong support of delivering aid to our allies abroad. Click hereto watch.

"Two months ago, the U.S. Senate by a vote of 70-29 passed a comprehensive emergency foreign assistance package to aid our allies in Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, including humanitarian aid to Gaza and East Africa. This measure should have been taken up immediately in the House, however, intraparty infighting in the Majority caucus delayed such a vote. Finally, today, Speaker Johnson allowed the House to work its will and a bipartisan majority paved the way for its passage.

"This bill will give Ukraine forces the armaments to defend their nation against Russia's vicious, illegal invasion; supply Israel with missile defense to safeguard its citizens; surge over $9 billion in desperately needed humanitarian aid to Gaza, Ukraine, Africa, and Haiti; and help Taiwan fend off pressure and coercion from China.

"As part of our efforts to rebalance the security environment in the Indo-Pacific, the aid package includes critical funding for the submarine industrial base. This funding will increase shipyard capacity and availability of attack submarines at a time when all eyes are on the United States to see if we can outpace China and meet AUKUS commitments."

"The Senate must follow suit and send it to the President's desk to reassure our friends and prove to our adversaries that the United States is still the arsenal of democracy."

To read more about Rep. Courtney's advocacy for the submarine industrial base investment and the national security supplemental, click here.

The Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 passed 311-112-1.

The Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 passed 366-58.

The Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 passed 385-34-1.

###