Rep. Loudermilk's Weekly Newsletter

Washington, April 20, 2024

Rep. Loudermilk on Passage of House National Security Supplemental Package

Washington, D.C. (April 20, 2024) | Today, Rep. Barry Loudermilk (GA-11) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed a national security supplemental package. This legislation was voted on in four separate bills that provide resources to Israel, Ukraine, and the Indo-Pacific, as well as efforts to counter our adversaries in each region.

“I appreciate Speaker Johnson breaking down the national security supplemental legislation into four individual bills that allow for members of the House of Representatives to offer amendments on the floor and vote their conscience on each one individually. While I did not support all the bills that came to the floor today, it is critical that we let the legislative process that our Founders instituted work the way it was designed.

“I believe in supporting our allies and U.S. interests where freedom and individual liberties are threatened; however, I believe the support must be measured, accounted for, and fully transparent.

“The national security supplemental legislation that is being sent to the Senate today includes numerous conservative priorities that shore up our national security against several threats including: transnational criminal cartels, drug traffickers, sanctions on other foreign adversaries, ending funding for Hamas, safeguarding Americans privacy rights and many other critical policies that Senate Democrats have refused to take up.

“As with most pieces of legislation, none of these are perfect, but we live in very dangerous times, and it is important that we provide the U.S. military and our allies the support they need to ensure our nation remains free, safe, and full of opportunity.”

Key highlights include:

H.R. 8034 – Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act - VOTED YES

This legislation provides a total of $26.38 billion to support Israel in its effort to defend itself against Iran and its proxies, and to reimburse U.S. military operations in response to recent attacks.

$4 billion to replenish Iron Dome and David’s Sling missile defense systems.
$1.2 billion for the Iron Beam defense system.
$3.5 billion for the procurement of advanced weapons systems, defense articles, and defense services through the Foreign Military Financing Program.
$1 billion to enhance the production and development of artillery and critical munitions.
$4.4 billion to replenish defense articles and defense services provided to Israel.
$2.4 billion for current U.S. military operations in response to recent attacks.
$9 billion for worldwide humanitarian aid.
Provides $400 million to help secure non-profit institutions in America, including from increased threats of antisemitism.
Provides flexibility for transfers of defense articles to Israel from U.S. stockpiles.
Prohibits funds to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

H.R. 8035 – Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act – VOTED NO

The legislation includes $60.8 billion to address the conflict in Ukraine and assist our regional partners as they counter Russia, $48.3 billion (or 79%) of which will fund the U.S. defense industrial base.

Converts all financial assistance to Ukraine’s government into a loan.
Requires the Administration to submit to Congress within 45 days a strategy establishing specific and achievable objectives, with metrics, that define and prioritize U.S. national security interests.
Bolsters oversight through in-person monitoring requirements.
Requires partners and allies to pay their fair share through cost-matching requirements. Increases the fiscal limits on several Presidential drawdown authorities.
$13.4 billion to replenish American defense stockpiles.
$7.3 billion for current U.S. military operations in the region.
$13.9 billion for the procurement of advanced weapons systems, defense articles, and defense services.
$13.7 billion for purchasing U.S. defense systems for Ukraine.
$26 million for oversight and accountability of aid and equipment provided to Ukraine.

H.R. 8036 – Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act – VOTED YES

The legislation includes $8.12 billion to continue efforts to counter communist China and ensure a strong deterrence in the region.

$3.3 billion to develop submarine infrastructure, including investments in dry dock construction.
$2 billion in Foreign Military Financing Program for Taiwan and other key allies and security partners in the Indo-Pacific confronting Chinese aggression.
$1.9 billion to replenish defense articles and defense services provided to Taiwan and regional partners.
$542 million to strengthen U.S. military capabilities in the region.
$133 million to enhance the production of artillery and critical munitions.
Provides additional flexibility for Foreign Military Financing loans and loan guarantees.

H.R. 8038 – 21^st Century Peace Through Strength Act – VOTED YES

To bolster resources provided in the House national security supplemental legislation, the 21^st Century Peace Through Strength Act will implement strong sanctions and rigorous policies to counter Iran, China, and Russia.

Contains the FEND Off Fentanyl Act, which implements sanctions on transnational criminal organizations and members of drug cartels engaged in international fentanyl trafficking, and cracks down on fentanyl related money laundering.
Contains the REPO Act, which holds Russia financially accountable for the damage it causes in Ukraine by seizing an estimated $5 billion in Russian sovereign assets.
Forces the sale of TikTok within a year of passage.

China:

Protects Americans’ data from China.
Implements additional sanctions targeting Chinese oil purchases from Iran.

Iran:

Sanctions ports, vessels, and refineries dealing in Iranian oil to stop Iran from exporting tens of billions of dollars of oil a year to China.
Sanctions anyone involved in buying, selling, or manufacturing Iran’s missiles and drones.
Forces the executive branch to fully implement sanctions on high-ranking Iranian officials.
Imposes sanctions on anyone supporting Hamas, Palestine Islamic Jihad, and other Palestinian terrorist groups.
Stops Iran from accessing U.S. technology to manufacture missiles and drones.
Updates sanctions for using civilians as human shields.
Sanctions those producing the drug captagon, which is manufactured and sold to fund terrorism in the Middle East.

Russia:

Strengthens multilateral sanctions on Russian oligarchs.
Imposes sanctions on Iranian and Chinese technology transfers benefiting UAV warfare in Ukraine.

Rep. Loudermilk Supports Efforts Condemning Iranian Aggression, Protecting Israel's Right to Self Defense

This week, Rep. Barry Loudermilk (GA-11) also supported various pieces of legislation condemning Iranian aggression, imposing sanctions on their proxies and reaffirming our support for Israel following Iran's recent attack. Bills are as follows:

H.R. 6323 – Iran Counterterrorism Act - Rep. Young Kim (CA-40)

This legislation ensures that the administration can only waive United States sanctions against Iran if it can certify to Congress that Iran has ceased support for international terrorism. If the administration cannot certify that Iran is no longer financing terrorism, the bill provides Congress with a chance to review any waivers of these sanctions.

On September 11, 2023, in exchange for the release of five Americans held in Iran, Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a sanctions waiver allowing for the transfer of $6 billion in Iranian funds held in South Korea to Qatar. These funds were to be used for humanitarian purposes for the Iranian people. Although these funds have not been released, there are concerns that releasing Iranian assets under waiver authorities incentivizes terrorist activity.
A 2020 State Department report stated that Iran sends $100 million a year to Palestinian terrorist groups, including Hamas.
H.R. 6323 subjects the administration to a congressional review process for waivers of certain Iran sanctions, unless the administration can certify that Iran has ceased support for international terrorist efforts. This ensures that if the President were to use this waiver authority to make future ransom payments, Congress would have a mechanism to nullify it.

H.R. 6046 – Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act - Rep. Andrew Clyde (GA-09)

In February 2021, the Biden administration showcased their foreign policy weakness by revoking Ansarallah’s designation as a foreign terrorist organization.
Since the administration’s appeasement to these terrorists, there has been a surge of volatility and terrorist activities in the middle east, including ongoing missile and drone attacks against global shipping.
This legislation requires the Secretary of State to designate Ansarallah, commonly referred to as the “Houthis”, as a foreign terrorist organization under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
The bill also imposes sanctions on the Houthis and its affiliates.

H.R. 4691 – Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act - Rep. Keith Self (TX-03)

This legislation establishes a review period for Congress to examine executive actions that ease or waive sanctions on Iran.
The bill requires the President to submit a report to Congress detailing the administration’s proposed action and how it affects the United States’ national security and foreign policy interests in relation to Iran.
It also establishes expedited legislative procedures by which both chambers of Congress may pass a joint approval or disapproval resolution allowing or prohibiting the President’s actions with respect to Iran.

H.R. 5947 – To provide for the rescission of certain waivers and licenses relating to Iran - Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11)

In September 2023, the Biden Administration unfroze $6B in Iranian funds as part of a prisoner swap, allowing funds in South Korea and Qatar to be released to Iran for humanitarian needs.
In November 2023, the House passed HR 5961, the No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act, which imposed sanctions on financial institutions engaging in transactions with the banks holding these funds.
This bill would rescind the waiver used to unfreeze these funds in the first place, limiting the president’s ability to exercise the waiver in the future.

H. Res. 1143 – Condemning Iran’s unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel - Rep. Thomas Kean (NJ-07)

This resolution condemns Iran’s recent attacks on Israel, reaffirms and supports Israel’s right to self-defense, and urges full enforcement of the United States’ sanctions and export controls against Iran and its proxies.

Rep. Loudermilk and GA House Republicans Urge Postmaster General DeJoy to Address USPS Delays and Operational Issues

Washington, D.C. (April 15, 2024) | This week, Rep. Barry Loudermilk (GA-11) released a letter, signed by the Georgia Republican Congressional Delegation, to United States Postal Service (USPS) Postmaster General Louis DeJoy expressing deep concerns regarding the current state of mail service delivery in Georgia in the wake of significant delays and operational breakdowns.

In their letter, the lawmakers take Postmaster General DeJoy to task and describe the many frustrations constituents are facing with the delays in delivery and receipt of their mail stating, “As Members of the United States House of Representatives, we have received numerous calls from constituents frustrated with the abrupt delay in delivery and receipt of their mail. Our constituents, most of whom have always viewed the USPS as reliable, depend on timely delivery of mail to pay their bills, receive their paychecks, file their taxes, send their ballot, and get medications and other life-saving products.”

“Unfortunately, many have lost faith – some may not ever hold the Postal Service in high regard again, especially when it is unable to forecast when delivery times may return to normal,” the lawmakers added.

The letter demands answers to several questions regarding the mail service delivery breakdowns and disruptions by May 10, 2024, and invites DeJoy to Georgia to see the service impacts himself.

“All Georgians and Americans deserve to have secure access to their mail without disruption. These significant delays and operational breakdowns occurring across the state are not acceptable and require USPS to conduct rigorous oversight and provide much-needed transparency to ensure similar disruptions are quickly resolved,” said Rep. Barry Loudermilk (GA-11). “I join my constituents in demanding answers from USPS and encourage them to take swift action. I urge Postmaster General DeJoy to come to Georgia as soon as possible.”

“It is past time for the USPS to fix their systemic issues and deliver the quality service that rural Georgians deserve and depend on,” said Rep. Austin Scott (GA-08).

“Georgians have relied on the United States Postal Service for decades. Yet, my constituents continue to experience unacceptable delays in receiving their mail,” said Rep. Buddy Carter (GA-01). “Our mail system must work seamlessly in order for Georgians to receive certain prescriptions, receive their paychecks, pay their bills, or file their taxes. I am proud to have signed onto my colleague’s letter calling for more transparency to prevent these unexpected and frustrating delays.”

“My district and D.C. offices continue to receive increased outreach from constituents regarding USPS issues, and the Postal Service must do more to ensure the integrity of its mail delivery operations. The Regional Processing and Delivery Center in Atlanta must address the operational breakdowns and service delivery delays that are occurring, and we will continue to demand action,” said Rep. Drew Ferguson (GA-03).

“Americans should be able to trust that their mail will arrive on time. Period. I have continued to take action on this issue after hearing from many constituents about their ongoing and extensive delays with the U.S. Postal Service; these recurring delivery interruptions are significantly impacting Georgia families and businesses. My Georgia colleagues and I are demanding answers from Postmaster General DeJoy, and we will continue to take immediate and necessary steps until the situation is resolved,” said Rep. Rick Allen (GA-12).

“I have deep concerns with the current state of mail delivery by the United States Postal Service in Georgia and across the nation. Our constituents, most of whom have always viewed the USPS as reliable, depend on timely delivery of mail for various essential needs. Unfortunately, many have lost faith in the Postal Service. The time to act is now," said Rep. Rich McCormick (GA-06).

“I’m proud to join Rep. Loudermilk in pressing the U.S. Postal Service for answers regarding the agency’s botched consolidation process, which has tremendously burdened Northeast Georgians. I remain committed to working with my colleagues on this critical matter to ensure our constituents receive the efficient and effective mail delivery operations that they deserve,” said Rep. Andrew Clyde (GA-09).

“Millions of Georgians rely on reliable mail delivery. It is paramount that USPS not only address their customers' concerns with top-tier customer service but begin promptly implementing solutions to address mass mail disruptions across the state," said Rep. Mike Collins (GA-10).

Read the full letter here.

Rep. Loudermilk Chairs Oversight Subcommittee Hearing on January 6 National Guard Delayed Mobilization

In case you missed it, this week, Rep. Barry Loudermilk (GA-11), Chairman of the House Administration Committee's Oversight Subcommittee, led a hearing on the delayed mobilization of the D.C. National Guard on January 6, 2021.

Witnesses included four former D.C. National Guard whistleblowers who shared their first-hand accounts charging senior Pentagon leadership for failing to act decisively to authorize the deployment of the D.C. National Guard to the Capitol and subsequently crafted a misleading narrative about their actions that day to paper over the delays.

”Today we have the responsibility of recognizing these D.C. National Guardsmen, listening to their testimony, and honoring their patriotism. These brave men who showed up to defend the Capitol and were discarded and ignored when they tried to come forward," Rep. Loudermilk said at the hearing on Wednesday.