[Pages H2587-H2593]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

INDO-PACIFIC SECURITY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024

Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1160, I call up
the bill (H.R. 8036) making emergency supplemental appropriations for
assistance for the Indo-Pacific region and for related expenses for the
fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes, and ask
for its immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 1160, the bill
is considered read.
The text of the bill is as follows:

H.R. 8036

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the
following sums are appropriated, out of any money in the
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes, namely:

TITLE I

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

Operation and Maintenance, Navy

For an additional amount for ``Operation and Maintenance,
Navy'', $557,758,000, to remain available until September 30,
2024, to support improvements to the submarine industrial
base and for related expenses: Provided, That such amount is
designated by the Congress as being for an emergency
requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.

Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide

(including transfers of funds)

For an additional amount for ``Operation and Maintenance,
Defense-Wide'', $1,900,000,000, to remain available until
September 30, 2025, to respond to the situation in Taiwan and
for related expenses: Provided, That such funds may be
transferred to accounts under the headings ``Operation and
Maintenance'', ``Procurement'', and ``Revolving and
Management Funds'' for replacement, through new procurement
or repair of existing unserviceable equipment, of defense
articles from the stocks of the Department of Defense, and
for reimbursement for defense services of the Department of
Defense and military education and training, provided to
Taiwan or identified and notified to Congress for provision
to Taiwan or to foreign countries that have provided support
to Taiwan at the request of the United States: Provided
further, That funds transferred pursuant to the preceding
proviso shall be merged with and available for the same
purposes and for the same time period as the appropriations
to which the funds are transferred: Provided further, That
the Secretary of Defense shall notify the congressional
defense committees of the details of such transfers not less
than 15 days before any such transfer: Provided further,
That upon a determination that all or part of the funds
transferred from this appropriation are not necessary for the
purposes provided herein, such amounts may be transferred
back and merged with this appropriation: Provided further,
That any transfer authority provided herein is in addition to
any other transfer authority provided by law: Provided
further, That such amount is designated by the Congress as
being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section
251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit
Control Act of 1985.

PROCUREMENT

Shipbuilding and Conversion, Navy

For an additional amount for ``Shipbuilding and Conversion,
Navy'', $2,155,000,000, to remain available until September
30, 2028, to support improvements to the submarine industrial
base and for related expenses: Provided, That of the total
amount provided under this heading in this Act, funds shall
be available as follows:
Columbia Class Submarine (AP), $1,955,000,000; and
Virginia Class Submarine (AP), $200,000,000:
Provided further, That such amount is designated by the
Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to
section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985.

Other Procurement, Navy

For an additional amount for ``Other Procurement, Navy'',
$293,570,000, to remain available until September 30, 2026,
to support improvements to the submarine industrial base and
for related expenses: Provided, That such amount is
designated by the Congress as being for an emergency
requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.

Defense Production Act Purchases

For an additional amount for ``Defense Production Act
Purchases'', $132,600,000, to remain available until
expended, for activities by the Department of Defense
pursuant to sections 108, 301, 302, and 303 of the Defense
Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 4518, 4531, 4532, and
4533): Provided, That such amounts shall be obligated and
expended by the Secretary of Defense as if delegated the
necessary authorities conferred by the Defense Production Act
of 1950: Provided further, That such amount is designated by
the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant
to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and
Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.

RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST AND EVALUATION

Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Navy

For an additional amount for ``Research, Development, Test
and Evaluation, Navy'', $7,000,000, to remain available until
September 30, 2025, to support improvements to the submarine
industrial base and for related expenses: Provided, That
such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an
emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of
the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of
1985.

GENERAL PROVISIONS--THIS TITLE

Sec. 101. For an additional amount for the Department of
Defense, $542,400,000, to remain available until September
30, 2024, for transfer to operation and maintenance accounts,
procurement accounts, and research, development, test and
evaluation accounts, in addition to amounts otherwise made
available for such purpose, only for unfunded

[[Page H2588]]

priorities of the United States Indo-Pacific Command for
fiscal year 2024 (as submitted to Congress pursuant to
section 1105 of title 31, United States Code): Provided, That
none of the funds provided under this section may be
obligated or expended until 30 days after the Secretary of
Defense, through the Under Secretary of Defense
(Comptroller), provides the Committees on Appropriations of
the House of Representatives and the Senate a detailed
execution plan for such funds: Provided further, That not
less than 15 days prior to any transfer of funds, the
Secretary of Defense shall notify the congressional defense
committees of the details of any such transfer: Provided
further, That upon transfer, the funds shall be merged with
and available for the same purposes, and for the same time
period, as the appropriation to which transferred: Provided
further, That any transfer authority provided herein is in
addition to any other transfer authority provided by law:
Provided further, That such amount is designated by the
Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to
section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985.

TITLE II

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps

For an additional amount for ``Military Construction, Navy
and Marine Corps'', $281,914,000, to remain available until
September 30, 2028, to support improvements to the submarine
industrial base and for related expenses: Provided, That not
later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of the Navy, or their designee, shall submit to
the Committees on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives and the Senate an expenditure plan for funds
provided under this heading in this Act: Provided further,
That such funds may be obligated or expended for planning and
design and military construction projects not otherwise
authorized by law: Provided further, That such amount is
designated by the Congress as being for an emergency
requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.

TITLE III

DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND RELATED AGENCY

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE

Funds Appropriated to the President

foreign military financing program

For an additional amount for ``Foreign Military Financing
Program'', $2,000,000,000, to remain available until
September 30, 2025, for assistance for the Indo-Pacific
region and for related expenses: Provided, That amounts made
available under this heading in this Act and unobligated
balances of amounts made available under this heading in Acts
making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign
operations, and related programs for fiscal year 2024 and
prior fiscal years shall be available for the cost of loans
and loan guarantees as authorized by section 2606 of the
Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022 (division N of
Public Law 117-103), subject to the terms and conditions
provided in such section, or as otherwise authorized by law:
Provided further, That loan guarantees made using amounts
described in the preceding proviso for loans financed by the
Federal Financing Bank may be provided notwithstanding any
provision of law limiting the percentage of loan principal
that may be guaranteed: Provided further, That up to
$5,000,000 of funds made available under this heading in this
Act, in addition to funds otherwise available for such
purposes, may be used by the Department of State for
necessary expenses for the general costs of administering
military assistance and sales, including management and
oversight of such programs and activities: Provided further,
That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for
an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i)
of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of
1985.

INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

Multilateral Assistance

contribution to the international development association

For an additional amount for ``Contribution to the
International Development Association'', $250,000,000, to
remain available until expended, which shall be made
available for a contribution to the International Development
Association Special Program to Enhance Crisis Response
Window: Provided, That such amount is designated by the
Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to
section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985.

GENERAL PROVISIONS--THIS TITLE

(including transfers of funds)

Sec. 301. During fiscal year 2024, section 506(a)(1) of
the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2318(a)(1))
shall be applied by substituting ``$7,800,000,000'' for
``$100,000,000''.
Sec. 302. During fiscal year 2024, section 506(a)(2)(B) of
the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2318(a)(2)(B))
shall be applied by substituting ``$400,000,000'' for
``$200,000,000'' in the matter preceding clause (i), and by
substituting ``$150,000,000'' for ``$75,000,000'' in clause
(i).
Sec. 303. During fiscal year 2024, section 552(c)(2) of
the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2348a(c)(2))
shall be applied by substituting ``$50,000,000'' for
``$25,000,000''.
Sec. 304. (a) Section 2606 of the Ukraine Supplemental
Appropriations Act, 2022 (division N of Public Law 117-103)
is amended as follows:
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``and North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (NATO) allies'' and inserting ``, North
Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies, major non-NATO
allies, and the Indo-Pacific region''; by striking
``$4,000,000,000'' and inserting ``$8,000,000,000''; and by
striking ``, except that such rate may not be less than the
prevailing interest rate on marketable Treasury securities of
similar maturity''.
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``and NATO allies'' and
inserting ``, NATO allies, major non-NATO allies, and the
Indo-Pacific region''; by striking ``$4,000,000,000'' and
inserting ``$8,000,000,000''; and by inserting at the end of
the second proviso ``except for guarantees of loans by the
Federal Financing Bank''.
(b) Funds made available for the costs of direct loans and
loan guarantees for major non-NATO allies and the Indo-
Pacific region pursuant to section 2606 of division N of
Public Law 117-103, as amended by subsection (a), may only be
made available from funds appropriated by this Act under the
heading ``Foreign Military Financing Program'' and available
balances from under such heading in prior Acts making
appropriations for the Department of State, foreign
operations, and related programs: Provided, That such funds
may only be made available if the Secretary of State
certifies and reports to the appropriate congressional
committees, not less than 15 days prior to the obligation of
such funds, that such direct loan or loan guarantee is in the
national security interest of the United States, is being
provided in response to exigent circumstances, is addressing
a mutually agreed upon emergency requirement of the recipient
country, and the recipient country has a plan to repay such
loan: Provided further, That not less than 60 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall
consult with such committees on the implementation of this
subsection.
(c) Amounts repurposed pursuant to this section that were
previously designated by the Congress as an emergency
requirement pursuant to a concurrent resolution on the Budget
are designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to
section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Sec. 305. Prior to the initial obligation of funds made
available in this title in this Act, but not later than 15
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary
of State and the Secretary of the Treasury, as appropriate,
shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations spend plans,
as defined in section 7034(s)(4) of the Department of State,
Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act,
2023 (division K of Public Law 117-328), at the country,
account, and program level, for funds appropriated by this
Act under the headings ``Foreign Military Financing Program''
and ``Contribution to the International Development
Association'': Provided, That plans submitted pursuant to
this paragraph shall include for each program notified--(A)
total funding made available for such program, by account and
fiscal year; (B) funding that remains unobligated for such
program from prior year base or supplemental appropriations;
(C) funding that is obligated but unexpended for such
program; and (D) funding committed, but not yet notified for
such program.

TITLE IV

GENERAL PROVISIONS--THIS ACT

Sec. 401. Each amount appropriated or made available by
this Act is in addition to amounts otherwise appropriated for
the fiscal year involved.
Sec. 402. No part of any appropriation contained in this
Act shall remain available for obligation beyond the current
fiscal year unless expressly so provided herein.
Sec. 403. Unless otherwise provided for by this Act, the
additional amounts appropriated by this Act to appropriations
accounts shall be available under the authorities and
conditions applicable to such appropriations accounts for
fiscal year 2024.
Sec. 404. Funds appropriated by this Act for foreign
assistance (including foreign military sales), for the
Department of State, for broadcasting subject to supervision
of United States Agency for Global Media, and for
intelligence or intelligence related activities are deemed to
be specifically authorized by the Congress for the purposes
of section 10 of Public Law 91-672 (22 U.S.C. 2412), section
15 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22
U.S.C. 2680), section 313 of the Foreign Relations
Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 (22 U.S.C.
6212), and section 504(a)(1) of the National Security Act of
1947 (50 U.S.C. 3094(a)(1)).
Sec. 405. Each amount designated in this Act by the
Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to
section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985 shall be available (or repurposed
or rescinded, if applicable) only if the President
subsequently so designates all such amounts and transmits
such designations to the Congress.
Sec. 406. Any amount appropriated by this Act, designated
by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to
section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985, and subsequently so designated
by the President,

[[Page H2589]]

and transferred pursuant to transfer authorities provided by
this Act shall retain such designation.

spending reduction account

Sec. 407. $0.
This Act may be cited as the ``Indo-Pacific Security
Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024''.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The bill shall be debatable for 30 minutes
equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member
of the Committee on Appropriations or their respective designees.
The gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole) and the gentlewoman from
Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro) each will control 15 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole).

General Leave

Mr. COLE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Oklahoma?
There was no objection.
Mr. COLE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today to offer H.R. 8036, the Indo-Pacific
Security Supplemental Act of 2024.
The bill provides $8.12 billion in emergency supplemental
appropriations to continue efforts to counter Communist China and
ensure a strong deterrence in the region.
It includes $3.3 billion to develop submarine infrastructure; $2
billion for the foreign military financing program for Taiwan and other
key partners in the region; $1.9 billion for replenished defense
articles and defense services provided to Taiwan and regional partners;
$542 million to strengthen U.S. military capabilities in the region,
and $133 million to enhance the production and development of artillery
and critical minerals.
Today's bill should not be viewed in isolation. It is part of a
series of three security supplemental bills and a related national
security measure, all of which are being considered as part of a
comprehensive funding package.
This measure and the other two supplemental bills will provide needed
military assistance to Israel and Ukraine during their time of crisis;
will provide support for Taiwan as it confronts aggression from the
Chinese Communist Party; and will provide support for the U.S. military
forces operating in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, including the
critical replenishment of American stocks of ammunition.
American's greatest writer, Mark Twain, is reputed to have said:
``History does not repeat itself, but it does sometimes rhyme.''
Tragically, the past 2 years have produced echoes of a dark time in
world history, the 1930s.
In the 1930s, evil regimes bent on aggression, domination, and even
genocide, took their first steps down a dark road that would eventually
lead to world war.
Tragically, the democratic West turned inward then, standing idly by
while fascist regimes began to take aggressive actions against their
weaker neighbors.
There was time then to put a stop to aggression, if only we had had
the fortitude and the wherewithal to stand firmly on the side of
freedom.
Today, we are seeing uncomfortable parallels to that dark time. In
Europe, Vladimir Putin launched an unjust and illegal invasion of his
democratic neighbor, Ukraine. In Asia and the Pacific, the Chinese
Communist Party encroaches on its neighbors and openly threatens the
continued self-determination of Taiwan, a nation which continues to
show the world what a free and democratic China could look like.
In the Middle East, Israel faces attacks on multiple fronts,
beginning with the horrible terror attack launched by Hamas on October
7, and continuing with an unprecedented direct aerial assault launched
by the Iran regime over the weekend.

{time} 1000

These events do not take place in a vacuum, Madam Speaker. They take
place in regions around the world critical to American national
security. They threaten our friends and partners around the globe and
threaten the continued safety of democracy.
The security of our fellow democratic states is our security, and
protecting their security is undoubtedly in America's national
interests.
Some of America's greatest leaders of the 20th century recognize this
fundamental reality. I think of Franklin Roosevelt calling on America
to become the great arsenal of democracy to defeat Nazi Germany. I
think of Ronald Reagan reminding us that the preservation of a
peaceful, free, and democratic Europe is essential to the preservation
of a peaceful, free, and democratic United States.
Madam Speaker, peace through strength cannot be delivered through
appeasement. We cannot wish our way to national security, and we cannot
thrust our heads into the sand while aggressive nations threaten their
neighbors.
Today's measure is not only about safeguarding the ideals of
democracy and peace, but it is also central to our own national
security.
The actions we take today will be seen and heard around the world.
Vladimir Putin is watching. Xi Jinping is watching. The Iranian mullahs
are watching. What will we show them? Will we show them that our
commitment to security does not stop at the water's edge? Will we show
them that we know that the security of our friends and our partners
around the globe is our security? Or will we fail to take action and,
in doing so, give these powers the same gift we gave to the fascist
powers in the 1930s?
I know which I would choose. I know what I would show our
adversaries, these tyrants and dictators, that just in Ronald Reagan's
time, the United States stands committed to the common defense, that
our commitment to our friends and partners stands both now and into the
future.
Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support the bill, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I rise in strong support of the Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental
Appropriations Act, which will provide allies in the Indo-Pacific
region with the support they need to counter China's aggressive and
adversarial posture.
The post-World War order, U.S. leadership, and our historic and
strong allyship with Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and the Philippines
have created enduring peace and prosperity for much of the region.
Retreating from Asia under the guise of putting ``America first''
would be a colossal mistake and would yield the fate of democracy and
freedom in the Western Pacific to the whims of an autocratic Communist
Government of the People's Republic of China.
China is expanding its military capability at a rapid pace, and it is
using its influence to suppress dissenters. We have already seen
rollbacks of once ironclad rights and freedoms in places like Hong
Kong.
This bill provides $3.9 billion to support Taiwan and other allies
and to replenish our own equipment stocks, as well as $3.3 billion for
the AUKUS trilateral security partnership.
The world is watching and waiting to see if the America that they
know is ready to stand for freedom and democracy and against tyranny.
It is up to us to show them that America, their trusted ally, is right
here and that we have their back. We must demonstrate that our word can
be counted on. Xi is watching. Our friends in Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and
the Philippines are watching.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of time.
Mr. COLE. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from
Arkansas (Mr. Womack), chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation,
Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies of the
Appropriations Committee.
Mr. WOMACK. Madam Speaker, preserving the safety, security, and
prosperity of our Nation is arguably our most important duty. There is
a new axis of evil on the rise around the world, and just like the
terrible original, this group is bound together by their desire to
subjugate their people and destroy freedom and democracy all around the
world. They want to end American leadership and prosperity.

[[Page H2590]]

The second half of the 20th century was the most prosperous in our
Nation, and that prosperity was underpinned by relative peace.
Increasing our strength and the strength of our allies is the only
avenue to peace. This package does just that.
I thank Speaker Johnson for his courage and leadership, and I thank
my good friends, Chairman Cole, Chairman Calvert, and Chairman Diaz-
Balart, for putting this package together and putting it on the floor.
Madam Speaker, I was in the Army National Guard for over 30 years. A
significant part of that time was spent training to fight and win
against the Red Army in the Fulda Gap. There is a new Red Army today,
and they are inching closer to Central Europe. This time, we have a
democratic country in Eastern Europe in their way. All they need are
weapons and training.
That is among the bills in the package that we provide today, which
this body will vote on. Without this package, Putin will continue his
march of death and destruction. Without this package, our own Army will
have to cancel Combat Center training rotations, the training events
that keep our forces the greatest in the free world.
During those 30 years, I was deployed with my battalion to the Sinai
in Egypt. Standing on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing, I saw
firsthand the death and destruction of Hamas. I also saw our greatest
ally in the region, Israel, defending itself. This package today
provides Israel with the tools it needs to destroy terrorists killing,
capturing, and raping its citizens.
Our friends need our help, and without this package, our Navy--our
Navy--will be without critical air defense munitions required to
protect our sailors. These air defense assets enable our control of the
seas.

Another dictator is marshaling his resources and planning to upend
the free and open Indo-Pacific region that has contributed so much to
American prosperity. This package makes important investments in our
defense capabilities to deter this aggression. Without it, we will
produce fewer submarines, produce fewer antiship missiles, and
underfund the requirements of our commanders in the region.
Madam Speaker, Arkansans are at the forefront of producing critical
munitions, from Tomahawk missiles to standard missiles to naval strike
missiles, all funded in this package. Yes, Arkansas, like many other
States, is the forge of the arsenal of democracy.
Today's vote seems pretty simple to me. We are choosing between
strength and weakness, between freedom and repression, and between
prosperity and decline.
Madam Speaker, I ask my fellow Members to look past the end of your
noses, understand the context and gravity of the situation we face and
that our partners and allies face, and support this package today.
Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Krishnamoorthi), the ranking member of the Select
Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and
the CCP.
Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for
yielding.
Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 8036.
A recent survey showed the majority of Americans believe there is a
50/50 chance or greater of war between the United States and China. It
is one of their greatest fears. That same survey showed that 80 percent
of Americans want us to do everything in our power to prevent war with
China.
This particular bill, H.R. 8036, is critical in preventing war with
China by increasing deterrence against their aggression through foreign
military financing of our partners, upgrading the industrial submarine
base, and replenishing our defense stocks.
Madam Speaker, I strongly urge support of H.R. 8036. We cannot wane
in the defense of democracy.
Mr. COLE. Madam Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman
from California (Mrs. Kim), my good friend.
Mrs. KIM of California. President Ronald Reagan said: ``We cannot
play innocents abroad in a world that is not innocent, nor can we be
passive when freedom is under siege.''
The free world is under attack as Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, the
ayatollahs, and Kim Jong-un are teaming up to destroy any glimpse of
freedom and democracy in their path.
Deterrence is not divisible, and history has shown that when the free
world wavers, adversaries see a green light.
Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said recently that the United
States' failing to support Ukraine would embolden Xi Jinping and
support Beijing's propaganda that the United States is not a reliable
partner.
We want our allies and partners to turn to the United States, not to
the Chinese Communist Party, which wants to replace the American Dream
with its authoritarian vision in a quest to become the world's top
economic and military superpower by 2027.
If Xi Jinping is successful in his ambitions to take Taiwan, it will
directly hurt our economy, our national security, and our leadership
globally. We know he won't stop there. That is why we need to give
Taiwan the weapons that it has paid for to defend itself and support
other partners in the region.
This bill reaffirms our support by increasing foreign military
financing and revamping our submarine industrial base as we implement
Pillar 1 of the AUKUS agreement, which allows for the sale of nuclear-
powered submarines to Australia and the United Kingdom.
For America to continue to shine as a beacon of hope and freedom, we
need our allies and partners to trust us and our adversaries to respect
us.
This is about freedom versus authoritarianism. This is about
maintaining a world order that is safe for future generations.
History will judge this institution and our country based on how we
vote today. The world is watching us, and we need to deliver.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to meet this critical moment and
pass H.R. 8036, the Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations
Act.
Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
Connecticut (Mr. Courtney), a member of the Armed Services Committee
and ranking member on the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.
Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Indo-
Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act.
This bill makes critical investments to integrated deterrence in the
Indo-Pacific, fulfills the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command's unfunded
priorities, and uplifts the U.S. submarine industrial base in support
of the trilateral AUKUS security agreement.
Its $3.3 billion investment in submarines will both expand the
production capacity of the Virginia and Columbia class programs and
provide the Navy with resources to get more attack submarines out of
maintenance delays and into the fleet. This supplemental was crafted
last fall in tandem with House and Senate passage of AUKUS authorities.
It will turbocharge AUKUS with real capital and match the Australian
Government's commitment to invest $3 billion into the U.S. industrial
base.
The supplemental, along with continued procurement of two Virginia
subs per year, will ensure that our Navy has sufficient inventory to
sell three subs to Australia in the early 2030s, as the agreement calls
for.
I salute Mr. Cole and Ms. DeLauro for their steadfast leadership in
bringing this measure to the floor so that our Nation will renew its
role that Franklin Roosevelt described as the arsenal of democracy. I
urge passage.

Mr. COLE. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from South
Carolina (Mr. Wilson), my very good friend.
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, the visionary Ben
Shapiro, editor emeritus of The Daily Wire and host of the top
conservative podcast in America, wrote ``Why Speaker Johnson Is
Correct'' on Thursday. His defense of Speaker Johnson has been re-
enforced by Mark Levin and General Jack Keane.
In supporting the people of Taiwan, it is crucial to be a deterrence
to the China Communist Party invading, saving hundreds of thousands of
lives.
As the son of a Flying Tiger in World War II who served in Kunming,
Chengdu, and Xian, I grew up with an appreciation of people of Chinese
heritage.

[[Page H2591]]

America will stand with the people of Taiwan, with South Korea,
Japan, Israel, and Ukraine. We are the greatest nation on Earth, and we
have to act like it. This is a basic Reagan Republicanism.
In conclusion, God bless our troops who successfully protected
America for 20 years as the global war on terrorism moves from the
Afghanistan safe haven to America. We do not need new voter laws. We
need to enforce the existing laws. Biden shamefully opens the borders
for dictators as more 9/11 attacks across America are imminent, as
repeatedly warned by the FBI.

{time} 1015

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
Tennessee (Mr. Cohen).
Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, Speaker Johnson said he was a wartime
Speaker and was a child of the eighties influenced by Reagan who went
to the Berlin Wall and said: ``Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.''
I am a child of the sixties and John Kennedy, and I heard him say in
his inaugural address: ``Let every nation know, whether it wishes us
well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any
hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and
the success of liberty.''
Mr. Reagan and Mr. Kennedy each expressed what is the will and the
heritage of the American Government in supporting liberty around the
world.
These bills, that protect the Indo-Pacific, Israel, and Ukraine,
protect these countries against attacks on their sovereignty and their
existence. They are free countries that celebrate democracy. We have a
duty to support them, and we are engaging in that American tradition. I
support the bills, and I urge everyone to do so.
Mr. COLE. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
Colorado (Mr. Lamborn), my very good friend.
Mr. LAMBORN. Madam Speaker, history is watching us today. The whole
world is watching us today.
Winston Churchill, before World War II, spoke of those like Neville
Chamberlain who chose dishonor over war and ended up with both.
Likewise, isolationists today who choose to retreat from helping our
friends who are being threatened and invaded will find that the
struggles of our friends will sooner or later follow us home.
Our standing in the world is at stake with our vote today. We can
choose dishonor, or we can choose to help friends who are oppressed by
strong and malignant neighbors. Speaker Johnson has chosen honor and is
to be commended.
Taiwan, Israel, and, yes, Ukraine desperately needs our help. Vote
for all four bills. Choose honor over dishonor.
Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
Virginia (Mr. Beyer).
Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the good news for our
allies in the Indo-Pacific and the Ukrainian people that the House is
finally doing the right thing.
Today, moral courage and sound strategic thinking finally defeat the
partisan cynicism and political calculation of a small minority of this
body who have held our national interests hostage.
Some of my colleagues say America should reject our role as the
world's dominant power and ignore our geopolitical foes as they move
aggressively against our interests and menace our allies. They are
wrong.
While it is deeply unfortunate that it took this long for wiser
voices to prevail, the House is stepping up today to proclaim American
strength and send bold support to Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific.
The Ukrainian people did not choose this war. Ukraine was invaded by
a bloodthirsty tyrant who has designs that go far beyond Ukraine.
If allowed to expand unchecked, Russian and Chinese aggression will
only make a deadly global confrontation more likely. This moment is
long overdue, and we can only hope this delay will not result in
lasting damage to Ukraine's war effort.
It is my deepest hope that this victory in Congress will help make
possible Ukraine's ultimate victory on the battlefield.
Mr. COLE. Madam Speaker, may I inquire how much time I have
remaining.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Oklahoma has 1\1/2\
minutes remaining. The gentlewoman from Connecticut has 9 minutes
remaining.
Mr. COLE. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
Indiana (Mr. Mrvan).
Mr. MRVAN. Madam Speaker, I thank Ranking Member DeLauro for the time
and applaud the dedicated work of her and all the leaders and staff of
the House Appropriations Committee on both sides of the aisle for their
commitment to advancing this legislation.
I am proud to support this legislative package that is of paramount
importance to the strength of our Nation, to the American worker, and
for our role as a world leader that is working to defend democracy.
This is an incredibly serious moment for our Nation and the world,
and I appreciate that these measures rise to the occasion to provide
the necessary resources for those in need, including funds for
Ukraine's military, for our ally Israel, and $9 billion in humanitarian
assistance for the people of Gaza.
Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support these measures
and ensure they are signed into law.
Mr. COLE. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Kamlager-Dove).
Ms. KAMLAGER-DOVE. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Indo-
Pacific defense supplemental and all of the foreign aid bills we are
voting on today.
I recently returned from a State Department-led trip to Japan where
we discussed the security challenges the region is facing from the PRC.
Our partners in the Indo-Pacific are dealing with the daily threat of
aggression from China. China is quite literally seeking to gobble up
other countries, including the vibrant sovereign democracy of Taiwan,
and China is working to gain leverage over countries through cheap
infrastructure deals and digital authoritarianism.
The Indo-Pacific region has been calling on the United States to be
reliable, present, and engaged. Just last week, the Japanese Prime
Minister came to Congress to tell us that Japan and the region need the
United States and that our partners will be by our side. All we need to
do is show up.
With this bill, the United States is saying we need you, too, we will
not cede our leadership, and we are here for good.
Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
At this juncture, I thank the former chair of the Appropriations
Committee, our colleague, Kay Granger. It has really been my honor to
serve with Congresswoman Granger. She has been a pioneer in so many
ways.
I have said it to many folks, and especially to the women who serve
in this House: No one hands you anything here. You earn it. Kay Granger
has earned every bit of the accolades and the titles she has received
because she earned it, she deserves it, and she is an outstanding
Member of this body.
Madam Speaker, I would also say it is an honor to serve with Chairman
Cole. I think it really is impressive that in the second week leading
the committee, we are passing a long overdue supplemental to aid our
allies. That is to his credit, and I thank him very much.
Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Massachusetts (Ms. Clark), the distinguished Democratic whip and former
member of the Appropriations Committee.
Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman
for yielding.
John Gardner said: ``History never looks like history when you are
living through it.''
There is no doubt that today's votes in the House of Representatives
will reverberate through history and will be felt for generations to
come.
We have learned that when figures like Vladimir Putin emerge, we will
not find peace through appeasement.
As caretakers of the world's most powerful republic, we cannot look
away when the world looks to us to lead the defense of democracy. We
cannot look away because tyranny is not just emanating from Moscow.

[[Page H2592]]

The same extremism that has fueled the Russian attack on the
Ukrainian people has found countenance here in the people's House. In
voting ``yes'' today, we can rebuke all those who choose to side with
the enemies of freedom.
As we combat tyrants, we can also not turn away from the innocent
victims of war and famine, the suffering people of Gaza, Sudan, Haiti,
Chad, and Armenia. The humanitarian aid in this package is vital to
relieving their pain, saving their lives, and securing their children's
future.
As we witness so much destruction and starvation, as we attempt to
comprehend the intertwined horrors of the October 7 attack on Israel
and the devastating toll on innocent civilians in Gaza, I cannot see a
path to peace that does not provide security and sovereignty to both
Israelis and Palestinians, a peace rooted in justice and our common
humanity. It is my hope that the votes we take today are a start.
We are not simply living through history. We are shaping it. We have
the opportunity today to shape a future that is more just and more
equitable.
The bills before us today are not perfect. They consider very complex
and painful issues, but they are a critical step forward, and I urge my
colleagues to join me in taking it.
Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. COLE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for
closing.
I begin by thanking the Speaker and the Rules Committee, particularly
my good friends Chairman Burgess and Ranking Member McGovern, for
structuring this debate so every Member in this Chamber would have an
opportunity to express their opinion on every issue. This is really a
very welcome gift. Nobody is being jammed. Everybody can voice their
own opinion.
I thank my good friend, the ranking member of the full Appropriations
Committee, for working with me. We have had a long friendship and a
long professional relationship, and I look forward to the years ahead
working with her.
Finally, Madam Speaker, I urge all our colleagues to support all four
of these bills. We are, as speaker after speaker has said, at a
critical moment in our history. We need to stand firm. We need to send
a clear signal to the rest of the world, so please pass the bills.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join
me in supporting H.R. 8036, the Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental
Appropriations Act, a bill whose passage is essential to our national
security.
By far and away, the greatest threat to world peace since the fall of
the Soviet Union is a Communist China that seeks to displace the United
States as global hegemon, while nursing historical grievances over past
humiliations by nations of the West.
The People's Republic of China is not simply a strategic rival of the
United States, but a systemic one, which seeks to rewrite the entire
rules-based international order and recreate it in its own image.
To that end, it has targeted Taiwan, known formally as the Republic
of China.
The strategic importance of Taiwan in countering the Chinese
Communist Party's hegemonistic ambitions cannot be overstated. It is
the anchor of the first island chain, stretching from Japan to the
Philippines, and it is a major economic and trade power in its own
right. It dominates the semiconductor supply chain, integral to our
economic and security well-being.
But more than that, it is a beacon of hope for the Chinese people, a
bastion of democracy and freedom and a rebuke to the narrative of Xi
Jinping and the CCP that the Chinese tradition is inimical to democracy
and human rights.
Taiwan, like Israel, is an absolutely key strategic ally in a
dangerous part of the world. To keep the peace, we must ensure that it
has the arms necessary to defend itself, and we must stand by it
against any cross-Strait aggression.
Congress' commitment to Taiwan is longstanding, and it is important
that we reaffirm that today, so as to underscore to the regime on the
Chinese mainland that there is can be no doubt or ambiguity--strategic
or otherwise--regarding that commitment.
As the bedrock Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 clearly stated, we are
committed to resisting ``any resort to force or other forms of coercion
that would jeopardize the security, or the social or economic system,
of the people in Taiwan.
Ronald Reagan constantly and consistently stated that we achieve
``Peace through strength.''
It is that strength--and the willingness to resort to force of arms--
that keeps the peace, paradoxical as that may seem to some.
Towards that end, we need to be prepared. That is why I in the House
and Marco Rubio in the Senate introduced the Taiwan Protection and
National Resilience Act, first in 2022 and then again in this Congress.
That bill calls for a strategy to counter any coercive action by
Communist China towards Taiwan.
It is why I introduced an amendment to last year's NDAA which called
for assisting Taiwan in developing an asymmetric naval self-defense
capability, enhanced by small, high speed, long-range, extreme-weather-
capable, reduced-radar-signature boats.
Another idea whose time has come is developing a technology security
alliance with Taiwan and our other allies in Asia such as Japan and
South Korea. We would create a trade network that provides a realistic
alternative to China, providing a shield against any coercion by China.
Former Taiwan Legislative Yuan member Jason Hsu has championed that
idea, and it is a good one.
Finally, there is a backlog in sending weapons and ordnance to
Taiwan, some $19 billion worth, due to our commitments elsewhere, and
due to bureaucratic and production bottlenecks. Co-production--the
building of weapons in Taiwan, under contract, from drones to small
boats to missiles--is something that needs to be done, so that Taiwan
can deter mainland aggression.
Let us unequivocally state: we stand with the people of Taiwan, and
our Indo-Pacific allies.
I will vote in favor of H.R. 8036 and urge my colleagues to do the
same.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time for debate on the bill has expired.

Amendment No. 1 Offered by Mr. Issa

The SPEAKER pro tempore. It is now in order to consider the amendment
printed in part C of House Report 118-466.
Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 8, line 8, after the dollar amount insert ``(increased
by $500,000,000) (reduced by $500,000,000)''.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 1160, the
gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) and a Member opposed each will
control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.

{time} 1030

Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, we meet in an extraordinary, extraordinary
session here on a Saturday, and we do so because Iran has fired
missiles over our very ships intended to land on our ally Israel. We
meet here on a Saturday because Russia has invaded Ukraine and
continues an aggression that will not stop there, but we also meet here
in order to provide a protection and a preventative funding to our
allies in the Indo-Pacific.
Included in those allies in this amendment must be the Philippines.
Only days ago, the President of the Philippines and the Prime Minister
of Japan met with our President in a trilateral meeting for the first
time in, literally I believe, history. They did so to talk about many
things, including the joint agreement for defense that includes Japan
and the U.S. both participating in the Philippines in their defense on
their soil by their invitation.
That is how grave the threat from China is and how nothing will do a
better job of preventing yet a third major area of conflict than peace
through strength.
Madam Speaker, I urge support for this amendment, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I claim the time in opposition, although
I am not opposed to the amendment.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentlewoman from
Connecticut is recognized for 5 minutes.
There was no objection.
Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
Virginia (Mr. Scott).
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the
amendment I joined with Congressman Issa and Delegate Moylan in support
of foreign military funding for the Philippines. Earlier this month, as
cochair of the United States-Philippines Friendship Caucus, I had the
opportunity to meet with the President of

[[Page H2593]]

the Philippines, along with members from the Philippine House of
Representatives, to discuss the important bilateral relationship
between our two countries.
In these discussions, we emphasized our shared maritime vision of
keeping peace and freedom, particularly in the South China Sea. As the
gentleman from California has mentioned, we are pleased to see the
Biden administration recognize this important relationship,
particularly by enhancing the defense cooperation agreement. This would
allow the United States and the Philippines to better address the
shared challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.
Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to yield 1 minute to the
gentleman from Guam (Mr. Moylan).
Mr. MOYLAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to emphasize the importance
of supporting our ally, the Philippines, as they stand on the front
lines of China's gray zone warfare in the Philippine Sea. The U.S.
needs to further commit to its security cooperation efforts with our
friends in the Philippines. Since increasing Philippine foreign
military financing in 2022, we have drastically improved their ability
to counter regional threats.
Madam Speaker, we can do more. Our Philippine allies are harassed and
intimidated daily. This includes the use of high-pressure water cannons
against civilian Philippine fishing vessels in their own waters.
To show our support, I introduced, with Bobby Scott, H. Res. 837,
Reaffirming the Ties Between the United States and the Philippines.
Funding our allies is simple math, dedicating $500 million in 1 year
ensures the protection of nine critical military bases and ports
protecting 11 million Filipino citizens across 300,000 square
kilometers.
The Philippine Department of National Defense has a storied record of
military operations planning with our USINDOPACOM leaders and to meet
our future fight with force.
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague, Mr. Issa, for submitting this
amendment.
Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, how much time do I have remaining.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from California has 2\1/2\
minutes remaining.
Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, I want to remind this body of something that I think
is important today. When I entered this body some 20-plus years ago,
another Congressman then, Bob Filner, and I founded the Philippine
Friendship Caucus.
We did so because there were many promises made all the way back in
World War II that had been reneged on through what was known as the
Rescission Act.
Through education, the Congress wisely restored those scouts. These
were individuals who fought and died next to us, or often were tortured
when captured while defending us and warning us from the Philippines
when it was occupied.
The Philippines has been our possession, our colony, our ally
throughout history, but, more importantly, the Philippine people have
reached out to us time and time again to be our friends.
President Marcos came here personally to double down and triple down
on that relationship as a friend of the U.S., a democracy, and, in
fact, ready to defend the region with its partners for freedom in the
Indo-Pacific.
So, Madam Speaker, I ask you, please, this is an amendment more
important perhaps than any other to prevent war, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Edwards). Pursuant to the rule, the
previous question is ordered on the bill and on the amendment by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Issa).
The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from
California (Mr. Issa).
The amendment was agreed to.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the engrossment and third
reading of the bill.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, and was
read the third time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the passage of the bill.
Pursuant to clause 10 of rule XX, the yeas and nays are ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this question
are postponed.

____________________