As House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is receiving accolades from centrist Republicans, some Democrat politicians and talking heads in the mainstream media, his own caucus is not lining up behind him on a foreign aid package passed Saturday.
The $95 billion in spending included $61 billion for Ukraine, $26 billion for supporting Israel and $8 billion for American allies in East Asia, primarily Taiwan, to defend against an increasingly aggressive China.
Alabama was mixed on the package, with unanimity on Israel funding and mixed on Ukraine and East Asia.
Votes as follows:
H.R. 8034, Israel Security Supplemental Appropriation
Jerry Carl YEA
Barry Moore YEA
Mike Rogers YEA
Robert Aderholt YEA
Dale Strong YEA
Gary Palmer YEA
Terri Sewell YEAH.R. 8035 Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriation
Jerry Carl NAY
Barry Moore NAY
Mike Rogers YEA
Robert Aderholt YEA
Dale Strong NAY
Gary Palmer NAY
Terri Sewell YEAH.R. 8036 Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriation
Jerry Carl YEA
Barry Moore NAY
Mike Rogers YEA
Robert Aderholt YEA
Dale Strong YEA
Gary Palmer YEA
Terri Sewell YEA
U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Monrovia) explained his decision to support Israel and Taiwan funding but not Ukraine.
"For months, House Republicans have been promising our constituents that we would not support additional Ukraine funding while President Biden refused to secure our own borders," Strong said. "So far under President Biden, more than 9 million illegal aliens have crossed our borders with many being released into the homeland. President Biden has refused to address this crisis. While I was able to support supplemental funding to help defend our ally Israel and to bolster American defense production, I could not in good conscience vote to send billions of taxpayer dollars to Ukraine while our own borders are being invaded."
"Israel has been one of our strongest, most trusted allies for decades," he added. "Just last weekend, Biden's weakness resulted in our enemy, Iran, launching an unprecedented attack on our ally, Israel. Israel and North Alabama have a long history, with the Missile Defense Agency on Redstone Arsenal being critical to the joint Israeli-U.S. development of the Iron Dome and David's Sling missile defense systems. In the face of evils like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Iranian Ayatollah regime, we cannot abandon one of our greatest allies like the radical left would have us do."
U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) only backed funding for Israel while declining to support money for Ukraine and Taiwan.
"Israel, our strong ally for more than 75 years, is battling a terrorist group that wants to extinguish their very existence," Moore said in a statement. "We must stand with Israel and provide the support and resources necessary to rid the Middle East and the world of Hamas' terrorist regime. Any threat to Israel is a threat to the United States and our freedoms."
He also explained his "no" votes on Ukraine and Taiwan, calling the Taiwan bill a "same old swamp shenanigans."
"I believe we should protect Taiwan from Chinese aggression, but this bill is just another example of the same old swamp shenanigans to funnel more money to Ukraine," Moore said. "I will not vote to allow President Biden to redirect more funding to Ukraine, who has already received $117 billion with little oversight from the United States. More than half of Americans, many of whom are struggling to make ends meet due to Biden's inflation, believe we should not provide more funding to Ukraine. We need to put America first."
"Instead of using the leverage we have to fix the number one issue Americans are concerned about, this legislation sends $61 billion more dollars to Ukraine on top of the $117 billion already sent with little oversight," he said about the Ukraine measure. "I oppose another blank check to Ukraine while we are $35 trillion in debt and our border has been overrun by more than nine million illegals. Americans are tired of being last on their government's list of priorities, and they deserve better."
U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Mobile), who also voted against Ukraine funding but supported funding for Israel and Taiwan, also raised the issue of the need for border funding.
"Today I voted to secure the border and protect critical allies around the world, without giving another dime to Ukraine," Carl said in a statement. "Protecting America should be our number one priority, and that starts with securing our Southern Border. We should do this while supporting and protecting our allies abroad when they are under attack. We have a moral duty to support Israel, and China's aggression towards Taiwan isn't slowing down."
"Securing our border and protecting allies like Israel and Taiwan puts the interests of America first, which has been and will remain my top priority," he added.
Sixth congressional district's U.S. Rep Gary Palmer (R-Hoover), who also voted for Israel and Taiwan funding but opposed Ukraine funding, criticized the Biden administration for the current circumstances.
"Because of the weakness displayed by President Biden, our nation and our allies around the globe are in grave danger," Palmer said in a statement. "This administration's weakness and uncertainty in foreign policy has emboldened and encouraged a festering axis of evil in Europe, the Middle East, and the Pacific. In just over three years, the Biden Administration has upended the world order to the degree that we are now facing the real possibility of a third world war."
He continued, "Not only that, because they intentionally opened our borders, the Biden Administration has left our country vulnerable to attacks from within that could result in devastating death and destruction. Already, there are families all across America grieving the deaths of their loved ones either from fentanyl poisoning or murdered at the hands of an illegal alien let in by the Biden Administration."
"Had Biden not been elected, I am convinced Russia would not have invaded Ukraine, Hamas would not have attacked and slaughtered Israeli citizens, and China would not be mobilizing against Taiwan and our allies in the Pacific," Palmer added. "Had Biden not been elected, Americans could afford their groceries, gas for their vehicles, and household utilities. Our borders would be secure, our foreign policy would be strong and certain and these bills would not have been necessary."
U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) offered the following statement:
“Today, I voted to send weapons to three democratic nations under attack or threat by our enemies. I understand that some will not support helping Ukraine, or even Israel, defend themselves against aggression, but at the end of the day, my vote came down to what I feel is the right thing to do.
“Around 250 years ago, there was a small country that found itself fighting an enemy that outmatched them in every way. They were brave, determined and relentless, but they still needed help from a European power to win. That small country was the United States, and that European power was France. Because of those beginnings and because we are now that shining light on a hill, I feel we have a moral obligation to now also help those countries who are fighting for their very existences.
“Many of us feel we have too many problems at home to be distracted abroad. And I do find it maddening that the Biden Administration will defend the borders of Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan - but not our own. However, two wrongs don’t make a right. I share that frustration and will continue the fight for border security. Ultimately, I’ve learned that the only way to take control of our borders is at the ballot box.
“Lastly, let me be clear about one thing: this bill is NOT about sending huge amounts of cash overseas. (In fact, I also voted in favor of an amendment from Congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL) that would eliminate all non-military funding for Ukraine.)We are sending guns and bullets today, so we won’t have to send our sons and daughters tomorrow. Those arms are built in the United States by American workers, including $1.5 billion in Patriot air defense missiles and $500 million for anti-drone weapons made in Alabama. These funds will help kick-start our domestic production and refill our supplies as our adversaries in China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea try to export death and chaos around the globe.”
Alabama's lone Democrat, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham), voted for the entire package but attacked Republicans for the timing.
"At a time when democracy is under attack across the globe, America's leadership is essential," Sewell declared. "The national security package passed by the House provides urgently needed resources to help Ukraine defeat Putin, deliver humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza, defend Israel in its proxy wars with Iran, and deter aggression by China against our Info-Pacific partners."
"To be clear, it should never have taken this long for House Republican leadership to meet the national security needs of the American people and our allies. House Republican inaction has allowed the United States to stand idly by as Ukraine is pushed to its breaking point," she added. "I am optimistic that the Senate will pass this legislation and President Biden will sign it into law without delay. History is watching the U.S. at this moment."
U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers' (R-Saks) office did not issue a press statement but issued a joint statement with his House Armed Services Committee counterpart, U.S. Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) a day earlier.
"We support the national security supplemental package and encourage the House to pass it expeditiously," Rogers and Smith stated. "We also oppose the proposed amendments to the package that seek to cut funding and would undermine the purpose of this legislation. We need to reinvigorate our industrial base and provide Ukraine and Israel with critically needed security assistance and these bills do exactly that. This package further helps U.S. national security interests by investing in our submarine industrial base and in other systems vital to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region."
Jeff Poor is the editor in chief of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email jeff.poor@1819News.com or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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