Statement of Administration Policy: Senate Amendment to H.R. 815 - National Security and Border Act, 2024

STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY

(Senate)
(Sen. Schumer, D-NY)

The Administration strongly supports Senate passage of the substitute amendment to H.R. 815, the National Security and Border Act, 2024. H.R. 815 provides over $110 billion in funding for critical bipartisan national security priorities.

This bill meets the moment by providing critical funding for Ukraine, Israel, global humanitarian assistance, and our Southwest border. This bill ensures that we sustain our military readiness, while investing in our Defense Industrial Base and creating jobs throughout the United States.

This funding would ensure that critically needed U.S. weapons and equipment continue to flow to the battlefield as the Ukrainian people defend their sovereignty against Russian aggression while also enhancing our Defense Industrial Base here at home. Without this funding, the Administration will run out of resources to support Ukraine's defense by the end of the year. The bill includes essential aid to Israel to help support them in their fight against Hamas. The funding provided in this bill would ensure Israel has what it needs to protect itself and to reestablish territorial security and deterrence. H.R. 815 provides critical life-saving humanitarian assistance across the globe, including for those made victim by Putin's use of food as a weapon in Russia's aggression against Ukraine. This humanitarian assistance would also support those affected by the war in Gaza. In addition, H.R. 815 provides critical funding for our submarine industrial base to maintain a focus of deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. Finally, H.R. 815 provides the necessary resources to keep the Southwest border secure and stop the flow of fentanyl into the United States.

The Administration strongly supports the inclusion of the authorization and funding for the Compacts of Free Association with the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau, which is vital to the current and future success of our national security interests in the Indo-Pacific.

At this crucial moment, this urgent funding should not be held hostage by unrelated policy demands. The Administration urges both chambers of the Congress to quickly send this supplemental funding bill to the President's desk.