Schneider Statement on Clean Supplemental Appropriation

WASHINGTON –  Today, Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) released the following statement:

“Israel is fighting an existential war against Hamas—a nihilistic, genocidal terrorist army—while also being attacked by Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, the IRGC and Iranian proxies in Syria, Houthis  in Yemen, and terror cells in the West Bank. There is no question the United States must support our ally Israel, and I will vote yes for the clean supplemental appropriation.

“But it is folly to think that what is happening now in the Middle East is unrelated to what is happening concurrently in Ukraine. If Putin wins in Europe, the aid we are providing Israel today is only a small fraction of what will be needed when Israel faces a strengthened Hezbollah, backed by an emboldened Iran and newly empowered Russia. And the United States will likely need to spend billions of additional dollars stationing more U.S. troops alongside our NATO allies in countries like Poland, Romania, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.

“It is also folly to not provide humanitarian aid to the Palestinian civilians caught in the middle of the war in Gaza. Israel has opened Karem Shalom crossing and is allowing trucks to cross the border. We need to help aid get from the crossings to the people who need it, and ensure it is kept away from the thieving hands of Hamas. Sadly, the House GOP is again turning a blind eye.

“It is shameful that Speaker Johnson and the House GOP refuse to step up and ensure the United States continues to lead and support our allies in their time of need.  The Republicans’ cynical, shortsighted intransigence is not only  threatening our allies’ defense, but our own national security. Speaker Johnson should immediately bring forward the full supplemental package supporting Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan, as well as addressing our border crisis.”

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