House Passes Rep. Calvert’s Israel Security Assistance Support Act

Today, the House of Representatives approved (224 to 187) the Israel Security Assistance Support Act, H.R. 8369, which was introduced by Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41), Chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. The bill was cosponsored by Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK), State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), and Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee Chairman David Joyce (R-OH). The bill curbs President Biden’s misguided efforts to withhold critical security resources appropriated in U.S. law by compelling the delivery of defense weapons to Israel as they fight to protect themselves against radical terrorists.

“The passage of the Israel Security Assistance Support Act sends another strong message that the U.S. House of Representatives stands with our ally Israel in its mission to protect and defend its citizens,” said Rep. Calvert. “It’s both sad and frustrating that President Biden’s political decision to withhold aid to Israel is now forcing Congress to exert our Constitutional power of the purse and demand the delivery of this security assistance following an overwhelming and bipartisan vote supporting Israel just a few weeks ago. The will of Congress and the American people must be carried out in support of Israel.”

“The Biden Administration’s decision to withhold weapons is catastrophic and goes directly against the will of Congress,” said Speaker Mike Johnson. “With the passage of the Israel Security Assistance Support Act, we send a clear message of solidarity and support to Israel and demand the urgent delivery of defense weapons to our most important ally in the Middle East.”

“This is a moment of moral clarity,” said Chairman Cole. “You either stand with Israel and their right to self-defense against terrorists who wish our ally and America harm—or accept sending a dangerous message of weakness to our enemies. This bill demands accountability and supports freedom. It holds President Biden answerable to the law and ensures we uphold our promises to our partners. The United States and Israel share an unbreakable alliance, and military aid to eradicate Hamas—an organization of evil that has killed and continues to hold Americans and Israelis hostage—must be delivered without delay. We can’t equivocate in our support or waver in our promise of ‘Never Again.’”

“The Israel Security Assistance Support Act mandates that President Biden follow the law – a law that he requested and signed – to send weapons to our friend and ally, Israel,” said State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee Chairman Diaz-Balart. “In contrast to the weak and confused policy of the Biden Administration, the House is standing solidly with Israel as it wages an existential battle against the terrorist state of Iran, and its terrorist proxies Hamas and Hezbollah. We must ensure that Israel has what it needs to eradicate Hamas, which vows Israel’s destruction. We simply will not stand by as the Biden Administration pressures Israel to fight for its survival with one hand tied behind its back.”

“After 9/11, the United States would not have taken direction from our allies on how to defend our nation,” said Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee Chairman Joyce. “As their ally, we must support Israel’s right to defend itself. This bill does exactly that by simply ensuring the Administration provides the security assistance to Israel that was already approved by an overwhelming bipartisan majority in Congress. In doing so, we are not only supporting our ally in their time of need, but also providing long term security to America.”