ICYMI: Murray Releases Text of Bipartisan National Security Supplemental – MORE HERE
Washington, D.C. — Tonight, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke about the Senate’s bipartisan national security supplemental package on a press call with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT). Senator Murray’s full remarks, as delivered, are below:
“Tonight, the Senate Appropriations Committee released the full text of the bipartisan national security supplemental. A few things that I want to make clear—
“As Ukraine runs low on ammunition to fend off Putin’s brutal invasion, we need to finally extend our support—our bill delivers $60 billion for Ukraine. And as we have seen before, a bipartisan supermajority of Congress is ready to support our Ukrainian allies.
“We must quickly get more aid to innocent civilians caught in conflict around the globe, including in Gaza, where the humanitarian crisis is especially dire. I and many others feel very strongly about this, so we provide $10 billion toward humanitarian assistance—along with roughly $2.3 billion to continue support for Ukrainians displaced by Putin’s war of aggression and other refugees fleeing persecution.
“In living up to our commitments to our allies around the world we provide: $14.1 billion in security assistance for Israel—and $4.8 billion to support our allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific and deter aggression by the Chinese government.
“Now, I never believed that we should link policy demands to emergency aid for our allies, but Republicans insisted. So Democrats negotiated in good faith over many weeks. And now thanks to the tireless efforts of Senator Murphy and others, this package includes a bipartisan set of border policy changes, for which, altogether, we provide a little over $20 billion to address existing operational needs and expand capabilities at our nation’s borders, resource the new border policies included in the package, and help stop the flow of fentanyl and other narcotics.
“I think my colleagues would agree: Democrats will keep fighting for comprehensive immigration reform. But in a divided government, there will always have to be compromise. That doesn’t mean any of us will stop pushing for the progress we want to see—but what we have here is something that can pass the Senate and the House.
“There’s no reason for drama, delay, or partisanship—failing to pass this supplemental and failing to support Ukraine is nothing short of throwing in the towel to Putin. And for what? Because Donald Trump said so? For political points?
“Look, we have a bill here that is serious, bipartisan, and urgently needed by our allies, especially Ukraine.
“If we do not fully meet this moment—and soon—we are going to leave our families living in a more dangerous world. A world where dictators like Putin trample democracies without consequence. A world where civilians caught in crossfire have less hope of getting basic aid—like food and water and medical care. And a world where allies don’t trust our promises and adversaries don’t heed our warnings.
“So I will be urging all of my colleagues to support this legislation.
“I especially want to commend the many Republicans who have engaged seriously with us—bipartisanship is the only path forward.
“I look forward to further debate and votes on the floor this week.”
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