WASHINGTON D.C. – Republican 16th District Congressman Darin LaHood of Peoria said he was among House members who supported a $95-billion aid package to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. LaHood, through a statement released by his office, said the aid package provides “lethal military aid” to the U.S. allies and strengthens sanctions on America’s adversaries.
“If Congress fails to act in support of our allies now, providing basic military support, we will cede ground to our adversaries, turn our backs on freedom, and put American servicemembers around the world in harm’s way,” LaHood said. “I believe in peace through strength, and unfortunately, President Biden’s weak foreign policy agenda, botched withdrawal from Afghanistan, and appeasement of Iran has invited aggression from our adversaries around the globe.”
“To remain a beacon of freedom, the United States must stand strong with our allies to protect our national security interests in response to rising global threats,” LaHood said.
LaHood’s full statement is as follows:
“Ronald Reagan, a son of the 16th Congressional District of Illinois, famously said, ‘We maintain the peace through our strength; weakness only invites aggression.’ To remain a beacon of freedom, the United States must stand strong with our allies to protect our national security interests in response to rising global threats.
“In the past year, we’ve watched Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, a sovereign country. American hostages remain in Hamas’ control following the October 7th terrorist attack, and last weekend, Iran launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, our strongest ally in the Middle East. In the Indo-Pacific, China threatens to invade Taiwan and conducts regular cyber and economic aggressions against our national interests.
“This new Axis of Evil is on the move to supplant American leadership, and the world is watching how we respond. As a member of the Intelligence Committee, I’ve read reports that I believe paint a stark picture of the grave threats America and our allies face. Allowing Russia, China, Iran, and their proxies to steamroll our allies will not put our interests first or keep America safe. If Congress fails to act in of support our allies now, providing basic military support, we will cede ground to our adversaries, turn our backs on freedom, and put American servicemembers around the world in harm’s way.
“I believe in peace through strength, and unfortunately, President Biden’s weak foreign policy agenda, botched withdrawal from Afghanistan, and appeasement of Iran has invited aggression from our adversaries around the globe. The National Security Supplemental helps restore that strength, ensuring that our allies have the military resources necessary to deter rising aggression, without committing American troops. Now is the time for America to lead and stand on the side of freedom. This supplemental will protect our country and our national security interests abroad.”
Background on the House National Security Supplemental:
The Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024
- $4 billion to replenish Iron Dome and David’s Sling missile defense systems.
- $1.2 billion for the Iron Beam defense system
- $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.
- Provides flexibility for transfers of defense articles to Israel from U.S. stockpiles.
- Prohibits funds to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
The Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024
- 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
- $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.
The Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024
- $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.
The 21st Century Peace Through Strength Act
- 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 sale of TikTok.
- Protects Americans’ data from China.
- Authorizes the REPO Act, which seizes and transfers an estimated $5 billion of Russian sovereign assets in the United States to Ukraine.
- Authorizes 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.
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