Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) released the following statement after voting for a series of critical security supplemental bills:
“Russia is waging the largest land war in Europe since World War II against a sovereign democratic nation, China continues its military buildup to threaten Taiwan, and Iran is funding terrorists while directly attacking our ally Israel.
“America First means supporting American interests both at home and abroad. These critical security bills will provide our pro-democracy and freedom-loving allies and partners with the resources they need to defend themselves. Passing this aid sends a clear message to our adversaries that America stands on the side of freedom.
“I understand many Americans’ concerns with sending aid to Ukraine. But Vladimir Putin poses an immediate threat — not just to Ukraine — but to Europe and America. Providing weapons and munitions to Ukraine now allows Ukraine to fight Russia themselves and keep Russia contained, all without putting Americans in harm's way. This keeps our country safe and boosts U.S. national security interests in Europe, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific.
“Support for Ukraine now provides the biggest bang for our buck and prevents a larger regional conflict that will occur if Russia continues its aggression past Ukraine and into NATO. Much of this supplemental package will backfill our own weapons stockpiles, which have been drawn down to support Ukraine and must be rebuilt. It also provides a downpayment on the U.S. domestic manufacturing we need to rebuild our weapons stockpiles to deter future wars.
“In fact, 79% of the funding goes directly to U.S. companies to rebuild and replenish old munitions sent to Ukraine with brand-new replacements for U.S. arsenals. It also invests in the U.S. defense industrial base by purchasing weapons for Ukraine, or supporting operations by U.S. forces in Europe.
“Our focus in the Indo-Pacific will counter communist China and ensure a strong deterrence in the region. Importantly, it invests in submarine infrastructure, which directly benefits Virginia's shipbuilding operations and our local economy. It also improves our most advanced undersea capabilities, which are crucial to deterring aggression from the Chinese Communist Party.
“As President Reagan once said, ‘Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.’ Peace through strength, and having the will and capability to defend ourselves, is the best deterrence—the best way to make sure that we don’t ever have to use military force.”
Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act:
- Replenishes the Iron Dome and David’s Sling systems, critical resources that protect civilians and have no offensive capabilities.
- Procures defensive weapons, artillery, and munitions.
- Backs U.S. military operations responding to Iranian-backed terror.
- Restocks defense articles and services provided to Israel.
- Replenish defense articles and defense services provided to Israel.
- Creates reporting requirements to Congress on the diversion, misuse, or destruction of assistance provided and funds the Office of the Inspector General to oversee and monitor assistance made available.
- Prohibits funds to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act:
- 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 under the Special Inspector General for Operation Atlantic Resolve, stood up in the FY24 NDAA due to Republican efforts.
- Requires partners and allies to pay their fair share through cost-matching requirements.
- Replenish American defense stockpiles.
- Procurement of advanced weapons systems, defense articles, and defense services.
- Provides for the oversight and accountability of aid and equipment provided to Ukraine.
Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act:
- Strengthens deterrence over Beijing’s growing military provocations around Taiwan.
- Invests in submarine infrastructure, dry dock construction, and production of artillery and critical munitions.
- Curbs the Chinese Communist Party’s strategy to acquire control over the Indo-Pacific region.
- Enhances security cooperation with regional partners and supports U.S. military operations.
21st Century Peace Through Strength Act:
- 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.
Iran:
- 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 executive branch to fully implement sanctions on high-ranking Iranian officials
- Imposes sanctions on anyone supporting Hamas, Palestine Islamic Jihad, and other Palestinian terrorist groups
- Stops Iran from accessing U.S. technology to manufacture missiles and drones
- Updates sanctions for using civilians as human shields
- Sanctions those producing the drug captagon, which is manufactured and sold by allies of the Assad regime in Syria
Russia:
- Sanctions additional Russian oligarchs
- Imposes sanctions on Iranian and Chinese technology transfers benefiting UAV warfare in Ukraine
China:
- Forces the sale of TikTok
- Protects Americans’ data from China
- Implements additional sanctions
End the Border Catastrophe Act:
- Forces the Biden administration to restart construction of the border wall
- Ends catch and release
- Ends abuse of parole
- Implements Remain in Mexico policy
- Deploys technology to the southern and northern border
- Increases the number of Border Patrol agents and provide bonus pay
- Requires transparency regarding illegal crossings from the Department of Homeland Security
- Strengthens current law to protect unaccompanied children from human trafficking
- Strengthens and streamline the asylum process
- Imposes additional penalties for overstaying a visa
- Reimburses states for costs incurred while securing the border
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