McCollum Statement on National Security Supplemental

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, released the following statement today on the national security supplemental aid package, H.R. 8038, H.R. 8036, H.R. 8035, and H.R. 8034:

“Today, the U.S. House of Representatives will act to pass President Biden’s security supplemental to support Ukraine, Israel, humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians, Taiwan, and U.S. service members deployed around the world. I will support the entire legislative package. This security supplemental is among the most consequential votes that the 118th Congress will take because the United States has reached an inflection point in our leadership in the world. With these votes, we will support our allies and partners overseas in their struggle against conquest by authoritarian nations. And we will continue to stand up for democratic governance and democratic values here at home and abroad. This security supplemental is urgently needed because the situation in Ukraine has become dire. Vladimir Putin continues to murder Ukrainian civilians on a daily basis, and the Ukrainian military is in desperate need of the security and economic support from the U.S. that this legislation will provide. 

“In the Middle East, President Biden continues to work to de-escalate conflict between Israel and Iran, and we must do everything in our power to prevent a regional war. But Palestinian civilians in Gaza continue to suffer from lack of food, water, and fuel. The United States must do more to prevent starvation in Gaza. The supplemental will provide desperately needed humanitarian assistance to accomplish that. As the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, I have always been committed to ensuring that our service members have the tools and training necessary to accomplish their missions. With additional U.S. personnel deployed to Europe and the Middle East, this supplemental is essential to supporting their operations so they can come home safely. I urge the U.S. Senate to pass this legislation as swiftly as possible once the House completes our work.”      

###