During Hearing on Supplemental Funding Request, Shaheen Emphasizes Iran’s Malign Influence Against Israel and Ukraine and the Importance of Continuing to Support Our Allies, Bolster Own National Security
** Secretary of State Blinken Praises Shaheen’s Efforts to Create Black Sea Strategy**
(Washington, DC) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations, Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees, discussed with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken the national security supplemental funding request President Biden sent to Congress. During her remarks, Shaheen asked Secretary Blinken and Secretary Austin about Iran’s efforts to support Russia and destabilize Israel. Both Blinken and Austin reiterated that degrading Iran protects Israel and Ukraine as well as U.S. national security interests. Shaheen also asked about the Administration’s efforts to combat Russian aggression in the Black Sea region to counter the continued disruption of Ukrainian grain exports. Secretary Blinken applauded Shaheen’s successful advocacy towards the Biden Administration to develop a Black Sea Strategy and how focusing on the Black Sea can help address Putin’s war on global food and fuel prices. You can watch Senator Shaheen’s remarks here.
"Today’s hearing emphasized the dire need for continued support of our partners in Ukraine and Israel,” said Senator Shaheen. “The United States will continue to support Ukraine’s fight for freedom and Israel’s right to defend itself from terrorist threats. This supplemental funding will also bolster our own national security by increasing investments in the U.S. defense industrial base and countering Iran, which backs Hamas while providing lethal aid in Russia’s campaign of aggression in Ukraine.”
President Biden’s proposed $106 billion supplemental includes $61.4 billion for Ukraine, $14.3 billion for Israel, $9.2 billion for humanitarian support and additional funding to support the U.S. defense industrial base.
Last year, Senator Shaheen introduced bipartisan legislation with U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) that would direct the Administration to develop a strategy toward the Black Sea region, which has increasingly become a critical inflection point for European and global security amid Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked war in Ukraine. The Biden Administration has since adopted a Black Sea Strategy based on the push from Senators Shaheen and Romney. A member of the U.S. Senate Ukraine Caucus, Shaheen has led action in the Senate to support Ukraine in response to Russia’s assault. Shaheen has led multiple bipartisan delegations to Ukraine and met with President Zelenskyy and members of his Cabinet. During President Zelenskyy’s visit to Congress last month, Shaheen led a bipartisan statement with U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), as co-Chairs of the Senate NATO Observer Group, on the need for continued support from the U.S. and NATO.
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