Shaheen Speaks on Senate Floor to Urge Colleagues to Support Full National Security Supplemental for Israel, Ukraine and Indo-Pacific Partners

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), chair of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation and a senior member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, today went to the Senate floor to urge her colleagues to support a comprehensive supplemental funding package that recognizes the breadth of our national security interests, which includes Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific. You can watch the Senator’s remarks here.

Key quotes:

• “I join my colleagues in opposition to Senator Marshall’s proposal and in support of a supplemental funding request that recognizes the breadth of our national security interests, which should include both Ukraine, Israel and emerging challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.”

• “What some of my colleagues overlook in their singular campaign in support of Israel is just how closely the fate of Ukraine and Israel are tied together. And there is one country which links both countries together: that country is Iran. Iran has been complicit in Russia’s actions in Ukraine, exporting weapons and drones which inflict further bloodshed and harm on the Ukrainian people. And Iran is backing Hamas, which is waging war on the State of Israel.”

• “Our adversaries want the United States to fall short in standing up for our allies. They want us to be divided. We need to show them that we are united.”

Remarks as delivered:

• I join my colleagues in opposition to Senator Marshall’s proposal and in support of a supplemental funding request that recognizes the breadth of our national security interests, which should include both Ukraine, Israel and emerging challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

• In Ukraine, as we know, Russia’s brutal campaign of aggression is threatening the country’s freedom and sovereignty.

• And the horrific events of October 7—one month ago today—have forced Israel to defend itself in response to the worst terrorist attack that they have encountered.

• Both nations face a similar threat against adversaries that seek to destroy them. Hamas wants to wipe Israel off the map. Putin wants to absorb Ukraine into Russia to recreate the Soviet Union.

• Now, our allies and partners have already contributed a total of $94 billion to support Ukraine's war and recovery effort.

• And we – alongside our international partners – recognize that the Ukrainian people are not only defending their land and freedom; they are fighting for the preservation of liberal democracies around the world.

• What some of my colleagues overlook in their singular campaign in support of Israel is just how closely the fate of Ukraine and Israel are tied together.

• And there is one country which links both countries together.

• That country is Iran.

• Iran has been complicit in Russia’s actions in Ukraine, exporting weapons and drones which inflict further bloodshed and harm on the Ukrainian people.

• And Iran is backing Hamas, which is waging war on the State of Israel.

• And what’s especially egregious is the blatant display of their malign partnership.

• Two weeks ago, Putin hosted Hamas and Iranian leadership and Hamas expressed appreciation for Russia’s criticism of Israeli sanctions.

• This bill that Senator Marshall is proposing would also cost the federal government $27 billion, almost double what it provides to support Israel.

• It also strips out essential funding we need to address the pacing threat from China in the Indo-Pacific.

• It ignores the humanitarian needs for both Ukraine and Israel.

• But most important, we cannot pick and choose when the United States stands on the side of freedom and democracy.

• Do we really want to give a green light to Vladimir Putin to continue his revisionist crusade across Europe?

• Do we really want to give the impression to our allies and adversaries that the United States can’t be depended on as a trusted partner?

• Do we really want to sow doubt in President Xi’s mind that the United States will stand up for a free and open Indo-Pacific?

• Our adversaries want the United States to fall short in standing up for our allies.

• They want us to be divided.

• We need to show them that we are united.

• And I'm very pleased that Leader McConnell and Appropriations Vice Chair Collins, and so many of our Republican colleagues, are in full support of a holistic supplemental funding package.

• It’s important that we fund this holistic response to address both Israel and Ukraine’s needs, which includes humanitarian support for both Israel and Ukraine.

• Thank you.

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