Press Release

Tonight, Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06) released the following statement after voting against the House Republicans’ partisan supplemental aid package:

"Instead of this politically motivated legislation that fails to address multiple pressing national security challenges facing the United States, I call on my colleagues to join me in supporting the bipartisan national security supplemental package negotiated by my Senate colleagues. While I remain focused on delivering critical aid to support our ally, Israel, we cannot ignore the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the security needs of our partners in Ukraine and Taiwan, and the urgent need to restore order to our southern border. The Senate bill takes appropriate steps to ensure that the United States rises to the occasion and meets this critical moment in our history.

"As a senior Democrat serving on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, I am acutely aware of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. In December, I introduced a resolution alongside Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ) calling for the safe, timely, and sufficient delivery of life-saving water, food, medicine, and fuel to the Gaza Strip. While the House bill fails to address this humanitarian crisis, the Senate bill provides critical funding to the State Department and USAID to provide life-saving assistance to civilians in Gaza. 

"As Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine enters its third year, the Ukrainian people continue to wage a valiant fight against Vladimir Putin’s aggression. However, Ukraine is running out of the ammunition and weaponry it needs to defend itself against Russia. America will continue to stand with Ukraine and provide the support and weaponry it needs to defeat Putin and prevent escalation in the region. Anything less is a strategic win for the Kremlin and endangers our NATO allies in Eastern Europe. 

"I recently returned from Taiwan where I met with President Tsai Ing-wen, President-elect Lai Ching-te, cabinet members, and opposition leadership to discuss the political and security situation in the Indo-Pacific. I emerged from my visit with a renewed commitment to ensuring that Congress provides Taiwan with the security assistance it needs to maintain the status quo and deter a wider conflict in East Asia. 

"While the Senate bill provides critical funding to continue supporting Ukraine, Taiwan, and our other partners in the Indo-Pacific, the House bill does not. 

"Furthermore, this bill fails to address the humanitarian and emerging national security crises along our own southern border. While the Senate bill is not perfect, it takes much needed and long overdue steps to address our broken immigration system.  

"I remain a steadfast supporter of Israel’s right to defend itself and am committed to providing our ally the support it needs to defeat Hamas terrorists. I urge members of both parties to join me in supporting the Senate’s bipartisan national security supplemental to provide Israel with this critical aid while addressing additional core national security priorities."