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 – 21st Century Peace Through Strength Act – VOTED YES
To bolster resources provided in the House national security supplemental legislation, the 21st 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.
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