What El Paso, Las Cruces area congressional reps are saying about national security bills

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The U.S. House of Representatives passed in four separate votes on Saturday, April 20 a series of national security bills to provide support for allies and humanitarian aid for Gaza.

The package includes roughly $61 billion for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel, $8 billion for allies in the Indo-Pacific, and a package of additional national security measures that features a potential ban on the popular TikTok app.

House approves aid for Ukraine, Israel after bitter battle

Here is what members of the congressional delegation representing the El Paso and Las Cruces region had to say:

U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas

“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.

“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.

“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. 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.”

U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas

“As a 20-year Navy veteran, I will always fight to safeguard our national security, both at home and abroad. My votes today reflect my love for this country and my commitment to defend it from all enemies, foreign and domestic. I strongly supported the End the Border Catastrophe Act because it would have closed asylum loopholes, reinforced border security infrastructure, and delivered more resources to enforce against illegal immigration. As usual though, partisan politics got in the way, keeping many of my colleagues from voting yes to put America first and secure our border.”

On Friday, Gonzales issued the following statement on supporting foreign aid legislation that passed on the House Floor Saturday.

“America is the leading global superpower — when we act, the world watches. After the September 11, 2001, attacks, I served in Iraq and Afghanistan to combat the rise in global terrorism that threatened America and our allies. Years later, threats against our homeland have escalated once again, and our allies are engaged in conflicts with nations that despise America and what we stand for. If we fail to support our allies, China, Russia, and Iran will only become more powerful. Today, I voted in support of bringing foreign aid legislation to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives for a vote. We are a beacon of freedom and a friend to nations around the world who have stood by our side—we do not let our allies bleed out on the battlefield.”

U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez, D-New Mexico

“Today, I voted to pass long-overdue, bipartisan legislation that reaffirms America’s commitment to its allies, strengthens national security efforts and provides much-needed aid to Gaza. We must stand with Ukraine to prevent further Russian aggression and prevent hostilities from Russia and China. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I understand the threats that our U.S. allies face and the steps we must take to protect our homeland.

“Support for our allies must always be in line with our American values. We must put a stop to the exponential loss of innocent lives and address the current humanitarian crisis in the region, which is why I supported the overall package. This legislation includes critical humanitarian assistance for Gaza, and I remain committed to demanding a lasting, effective ceasefire and a two-state compromise.”

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