WEBVTT 00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:09.430 It is now in order to consider amendment number eight printed in part A of House Report 11-119-749. For what purpose does the gentleman from 00:00:09.440 --> 00:00:17.990 Kentucky seek recognition? >> Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk. >> The clerk will designate the amendment. >> Amendment number eight printed in part A 00:00:18.000 --> 00:00:26.950 of House Report number 119-749 offered by Mr. Massie of Kentucky. >> Pursuant to House Resolution 1423, the 00:00:26.960 --> 00:00:36.389 gentleman from Kentucky, Mr. Massie and a member opposed each will control five minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from Kentucky. 00:00:36.399 --> 00:00:44.549 >> Madame Chair, my amendment is simple. It strikes $3.3 billion of foreign aid to the country of Israel from this State 00:00:44.559 --> 00:00:53.510 Department funding uh bill. You know, we've got 39.4 trillion dollars of debt. We've got 00:00:53.520 --> 00:01:02.069 needs at home which include our infrastructure, our roads and bridges. We've got a shortfall in that fund. We've got our locks and dams that we're 00:01:02.079 --> 00:01:10.550 perpetually trying to figure out new funding mechanisms to come up with. And we've got homeless veterans. And we're sending more money to Israel in this 00:01:10.560 --> 00:01:20.630 bill than we spend on homeless veterans in this country. Just to put it in perspective, there are 3,000 counties in this country. And if you divide that 00:01:20.640 --> 00:01:30.149 into three billion, that's a million dollars from every county. This is not a significant amount of money that is going overseas. So I think we should u 00:01:30.159 --> 00:01:42.149 stop it. We should put them on a diet. They're the biggest welfare recipient of the United States and have been for many years. $310 billion has been received uh 00:01:42.159 --> 00:01:50.389 by Israel from the taxpayers of the United States. That's inflationadjusted dollars since we've been giving them money. And that's why I think this 00:01:50.399 --> 00:01:59.350 amendment is important. and I reserve the balance of my time. >> The gentleman reserves. For what purpose does a gentleman from 00:01:59.360 --> 00:02:07.429 Florida seek recognition? >> Madam Chairman, I rise to claim time and opposition to the gentleman's amendment. >> And it's recognized for five minutes. 00:02:07.439 --> 00:02:17.830 >> Thank you, Madam Chairwoman. As chairman of this subcommittee since 2023, I'm proud uh to be a leader in this body in providing unwavering support to our 00:02:17.840 --> 00:02:28.150 friend and ally Israel, especially especially after the October 7th terrorist attack. The 3.3 billion in 00:02:28.160 --> 00:02:36.949 foreign military financing for Israel included in this bill supports American, our national security interests 00:02:36.959 --> 00:02:47.270 overseas. You see, the same terrorists and terrorist entities that threaten Israel also threaten the United States and our 00:02:47.280 --> 00:02:57.830 people directly. You when we give Israel the tools and capabilities to eliminate these terrorist threats and to protect 00:02:57.840 --> 00:03:07.990 their homeland, by the way, including the many Americans who visit and live there, we are making America and the American people safer. The United States 00:03:08.000 --> 00:03:16.949 and Israel have worked together on successful military operations like those in the past year to decimate Iran's nuclear program and missile 00:03:16.959 --> 00:03:26.070 capabilities. And Israel is also using the overwhelming overwhelming majority of this funding to 00:03:26.080 --> 00:03:37.990 actually purchase Americanmade weaponry. So it actually helps our defense industrial base and our economy. And 00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:48.229 we've worked together extensively on developing military capabilities and other capabilities. Because of these advancements for our mutual interest and 00:03:48.239 --> 00:03:58.309 for our mutual security, there is currently a discussion, frankly, of moving to a new security uh partnership with Israel after the fiscal year 2028. 00:03:58.319 --> 00:04:06.869 Now just to be clear, the assistance in this bill for fiscal year 2027 is under the terms of the existing 00:04:06.879 --> 00:04:15.030 memorandum of understanding which runs for two more fiscal years. This does not in any way prejudge the outcome of 00:04:15.040 --> 00:04:24.070 ongoing negotiations. This is about fulfilling our commitment to one of our closest and most important 00:04:24.080 --> 00:04:33.189 allies that we have in the entire world at a time when terrorists are butchering 00:04:33.199 --> 00:04:41.909 people around the world. And we made that commitment because it makes the American people, our country 00:04:41.919 --> 00:04:50.469 stronger. So I urge defeat of the amendment and I reserve the balance of my time. >> The gentleman reserves. 00:04:50.479 --> 00:05:00.629 The gentleman from Kentucky. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I I heard a common refrain in my colleagues arguments there that, oh, don't worry, all this money is going to the military 00:05:00.639 --> 00:05:09.909 industrial complex. Well, I've got a problem with that. That's not a sustainable economy. uh buying weapons and letting people use 00:05:09.919 --> 00:05:19.749 them overseas on other people, particularly oftentimes innocent civilians. And I'm not compelled by the argument that we our job is to be here 00:05:19.759 --> 00:05:30.150 and enrich the military-industrial complex, now called the defense industrial base. With that, I would like to yield two minutes to my friend and colleague, Mr. Castro from Texas. 00:05:30.160 --> 00:05:38.469 >> The gentleman is recognized. Uh, Madam Speaker, Israel does not need and quite honestly does not deserve more American 00:05:38.479 --> 00:05:48.310 money for weapons. Prime Minister Netanyahu has taken Israel down an ugly path. The tragedy of October 7th has become a justification 00:05:48.320 --> 00:05:58.790 for the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. Self-defense does not include indiscriminately bombing homes, hospitals, churches, schools, or refugee 00:05:58.800 --> 00:06:08.469 camps. There were even credible reports of children intentionally shot in the head and chest. 00:06:08.479 --> 00:06:16.790 For decades, our nation gave Israel billions to facilitate peace and a two-state solution. Instead, Israel has 00:06:16.800 --> 00:06:27.830 chosen more war and more occupation. Today, it occupies not only Gaza and the West Bank, but parts of Syria and Lebanon. If there are no consequences, 00:06:27.840 --> 00:06:36.790 why in the world would Benjamin Netanyahu change what he's doing? And words are not enough. Condemnations are not enough. If we hope to change 00:06:36.800 --> 00:06:47.350 Israel's behavior, we must use our leverage. The American people have seen this tragedy with their own eyes. They have made their judgment. They do not 00:06:47.360 --> 00:06:56.550 support giving Israel more weapons. Do not reward a wrongdoer. Now it's up to us in this chamber to 00:06:56.560 --> 00:07:05.830 take action. I support this amendment and I yield back. >> I now recognize the gentleman from Kentucky. 00:07:05.840 --> 00:07:15.749 >> May I inquire as to how much time I have remaining. >> The gentleman has a minute and a half remaining. >> I reserve. >> The gentleman reserves. 00:07:15.759 --> 00:07:25.670 The gentleman from Florida is recognized. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. and I yield uh to the distinguished ranking member of the subcommittee. The gentleman from Florida, Miss Franklin, for one minute. 00:07:25.680 --> 00:07:35.430 >> The gentleoman is recognized. >> Franklin, >> should I yield to Okay. 00:07:35.440 --> 00:07:43.749 Thank you, Mr. Chair. I I I rise in very strong opposition to this amendment. Maintaining stability in the Middle East has long been a vital United States 00:07:43.759 --> 00:07:52.150 strategic interest. And what happens there affects our economy, our national security, the safety of our American service members. And as written, this 00:07:52.160 --> 00:08:01.270 amendment is over broad in that it prohibits or could limit the use of funds for longstanding initiatives related to peace building, refugee 00:08:01.280 --> 00:08:09.909 settlement, and US [clears throat] embassy operations. And this amendment would restrict our country's ability to confront Iran's proxies, Hamas, 00:08:09.919 --> 00:08:18.869 Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations in the region who are sworn enemies of the United States, Israel, and our allies. A 10-minute 00:08:18.879 --> 00:08:27.510 debate is not the way to change policy as we as we have a mission of peace and prosperity both for Israelis and 00:08:27.520 --> 00:08:35.670 Palestinians and peace in the region. Yield back. The gentleman yields back. 00:08:35.680 --> 00:08:45.110 Gentleman from Florida. >> I would like now to uh yield one minute to the gentleman from uh Maryland, Mr. Hoyer. 00:08:45.120 --> 00:08:58.470 >> Gentleman from Florida. Maryland. >> You're recognized. >> Ask unanimous consent to revise and extend. 00:08:58.480 --> 00:09:06.949 Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this amendment, which would dangerously undermine American 00:09:06.959 --> 00:09:16.470 American national security. If if adopted, it would, as leader Jeffre rightly pointed out, limit our ability to confront terrorist organizations like 00:09:16.480 --> 00:09:24.630 Hamas and Hezbollah that expressly target American citizens and military personnel. And it would make it harder 00:09:24.640 --> 00:09:35.110 for America to use our relationships with Israel and regional partners to promote a negotiated two-state settlement. 00:09:35.120 --> 00:09:43.430 The only realistic path to deliver on the promise of peace, security, and self-determination for both Israel and 00:09:43.440 --> 00:09:51.829 Palestine. I understand the frustration that many members feel some of the policies and actions of the current Israeli government as well as their 00:09:51.839 --> 00:10:02.630 concerns about its commitment to the peace process and a two-state solution. However, this amendment would embolden the enemies of peace, 00:10:02.640 --> 00:10:11.910 those pursuing the complete elimination of Israel and who those who seek the death of Jews. It is a vote to weaken our ability to 00:10:11.920 --> 00:10:23.509 engage in the region and it's a vote against American security, against American interest and against American safety. Vote no. 00:10:23.519 --> 00:10:34.470 >> The gentleman I now recognize a gentleman from Florida. >> Okay. >> Um, let me just very briefly conclude. 00:10:34.480 --> 00:10:42.790 As I said before at this bill, I've said it many times, if you're an ally and a friend of the United States, this bill uh this bill supports you. And if you're 00:10:42.800 --> 00:10:53.269 an adversary, this you're not going to like this bill. We have no stronger ally than the state of Israel. Uh this is our commitment under theou, which is why I 00:10:53.279 --> 00:11:01.750 respectfully but very strongly, very strongly opposed uh this amendment. Uh and with that, I would uh I would yield back. 00:11:01.760 --> 00:11:09.990 >> The gentleman yields. gentleman from Kentucky. >> And with that, I would like to close by saying that Israel has the strongest 00:11:10.000 --> 00:11:18.470 economy in the Middle East. Their debt per GDP is in much better shape than ours. They don't need our money. In fact, they've claimed recently they want 00:11:18.480 --> 00:11:28.710 to get off of the welfare, but I'm concerned that the other funding mechanisms they're talking about or co-mingling our technology and supply chains will have even less transparency 00:11:28.720 --> 00:11:36.790 than what's going on here today. So, I'm opposed to that as well. I'm opposed to all foreign aid. I didn't pick on Israel here. I've offered an amendment to 00:11:36.800 --> 00:11:46.310 defund Egypt and also to defund the aid to uh Jordan, which we'll talk about in a little bit. But I am particularly concerned this year about the foreign 00:11:46.320 --> 00:11:55.190 aid to Israel. There have been 70,000 casualties in Gaza, and I don't think we should be part of that. American taxpayers should not be conscripted into 00:11:55.200 --> 00:12:05.509 funding the military adventures of Israel. And I urge adoption of my amendment. And with that, I yield back. >> The gentleman yields back. The question 00:12:05.519 --> 00:12:13.750 is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Kentucky. Those in favor say I. >> Those opposed say no. 00:12:13.760 --> 00:12:22.069 >> In the opinion of the chair, the nos have it. Does a gentleman from Kentucky seek recognition? 00:12:22.079 --> 00:12:32.629 >> I request the yays and nays. >> Does the gentleman request for a recorded vote? I request a recorded vote. >> Pursuant to clause six of rule 18, 00:12:32.639 --> 00:12:38.920 further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Kentucky will be postponed.