Escobar Explains Vote for 'Much-Needed' National Security Funding

Texas Representative Veronica Escobar (D) released a statement sharing why she voted in favor of a series of national security bills to provide crucial support the U.S.’s allies, bolster democracy around the globe, deliver needed humanitarian aid to Gaza and strengthen security in the Indo-Pacific region.

“The unrest and conflict around the world require America’s global leadership, and today I voted in support of the bipartisan national security supplemental package which stands with our allies, prioritizes democracy abroad, and funds critical national security priorities in Ukraine, the Indo-Pacific, and Israel and the Middle East,” said Rep. Escobar.

The congresswoman continued, “The supplemental package would provide much-needed funding to assist Ukraine in defending itself against Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression, transfer long overdue military assistance including weaponry and equipment, and protect our national interests in the region. Democracy and decency are on the line and the U.S. will continue to stand with our ally and stand up to Putin.”

“Additionally, the package bolsters the national security efforts of our Indo-Pacific neighbors in their path to maintain peace in their region. The funding provides investments into world-class nautical and military infrastructure including improving a US submarine industrial base, supports key priorities to forge strong relations with our allies, and plants the seeds for the growth of stability and democracy,” said the lawmaker.

“Just days ago, Americans watched as the United States and other allied nations helped defend Israel against Iranian aggression. Following those attacks and as regional tensions increase in the Middle East, the package supplies substantial and life-saving defensive weapons systems – including the Iron Dome and David’s Sling – to Israel, ensuring its ability to defend itself not only against Hamas and Iran, but against Hezbollah and Iran’s terroristic proxies, while staving off wider regional conflict,” said Escobar.

The Iranian attacks were mostly intercepted by Israel and the U.S. However, many lawmakers around the globe have stated that the attacks were dangerous and wrongfully came during calls for ceasefire and peace.

The Texas politician continued,“It also increases counterterrorism operations in the region and replenishes the United States’ domestic weaponry stockpiles. Also included in this package, and critically important to me, is $9.2 billion in desperately needed humanitarian aid – including for Gaza and war-torn countries, where famine is ravaging civilian populations.”

“But my support for the Israel package comes with my continued calls on the administration to use its leverage with Israel to allow more life-saving humanitarian aid to enter Gaza and to hold the Netanyahu government accountable for any violations of international humanitarian law or NSM-20,” concluded Escobar.