The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a $95 billion security aid package to provide security and humanitarian aid to Ukraine and Israel and to protect American online data from foreign adversaries with a potential TiKTok ban.
Supplemental appropriations bills for Ukraine and Israel were considered separately.
Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. (D-Newark) was not present for any of the votes; he has been unconscious and on a respirator at Newark Beth Israel Hospital since suffering a heart attack on April 6.
Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown), the likely winner of the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, voted yes on aid to Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacifc, but against the TikTok bill.
The Israel legislation passed the House 366-58, with ten votes from the New Jersey delegation. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Ewing) voted no.
Legislation to fund Ukraine passed 311-112, with ten affirmative votes from New Jersey. Watson Coleman voted yes, and Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-Dennis) voted no.
The Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act provides $8.1 billion to counter action by China in the Indo-Pacific region and $3.9 billion to boost military services to Taiwan and other regional allies.
The measure received eleven votes from the New Jersey House delegation.
The TikTok ban was part of the Ukraine/Israel package and could force the China-based parent company, ByteDance, to sell it. It also places sanctions on ports that receive oil from Iran. Critics have called TikTok “a spy balloon in American phones.” It was approved by a 360-58 votes.
The legislation – the 21st Century Peace Through Strength Act – received ten votes in New Jersey; Kim was the only member of the state delegation to vote against it.
The bills were passed after a coalition of Democrats and Republicans passed a procedural rule to all the four-part package to get a floor vote.
The adjournment of the House leaves Speaker Mike Johnson safe, at least until the House returns from a one-week recess on April 29.
The Israel bill also adds flexibility to transfer defense items to Israel from U.S. stockpiles.
Statements from New Jersey Members of Congress:
REP. JOSH GOTTHEIMER (D-WYCKOFF)
“After working closely with Democrats and Republicans, I’m proud to have helped get this critical legislation done. The House has passed a strong, bipartisan package to support and equip our key democratic allies, Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, against the new Axis of Evil — Russia, Iran, and China, our most dangerous adversaries. It also includes key humanitarian aid for Palestinians being used by Hamas terrorists as human shields in Gaza. I was glad to have eight bills included in this package to protect our nation and hold our greatest enemies accountable.
REP. TOM KEAN, JR. (R-WESTFIELD)
“I applaud the passage of the three supplemental bills and H.R. 8038, the 21st Century Peace Through Strength Act that were voted on the House floor today. These critical security supplemental bills provide much-needed defense assistance to our allies and partners overseas. Time is of the essence for the United States to address the enduring threat posed by the evil alliance of Russia, China, and Iran. The House of Representatives is sending a strong message of our unwavering commitment to democracy and freedom across the world.”
REP. ANDY KIM (D-MOORESTOWN)
“These are difficult and chaotic times, but I still believe American leadership has an important role to play to protect freedom and democracy around the world. Some of my colleagues espouse a belief that our support to allies and partners hurts us at home. I disagree strongly. Security abroad helps deliver stability at home, helps us keep our own families safe and our economy growing. With so much uncertainty, we need to guard ourselves from the push to have America withdraw from the world and instead help shape stability in this volatile global era. My votes today were not without struggle and reservation as I didn’t agree with every single provision, but using democratic leverage to get $9.2B in humanitarian assistance into the final package when the Republican majority fought hard to try and remove it was critical and was an effort I supported.”
REP. ROBERT J. MENENDEZ (D-JERSEY CITY)
“Today, I was proud to vote for a bipartisan package of bills that provides long-overdue assistance for our allies Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, as well as life-saving humanitarian aid for communities around the world, including in Gaza. In light of the complex global situation, it’s both a moral imperative and essential to our national security that the United States provide vital support to counter ever-increasing threats posed by foreign adversaries. Now, more than ever, we must stand against threats to democracy and with our allies in their time of need.”
REP. DONALD NORCROSS (D-CAMDEN)
“The House of Representatives made clear today that we continue to stand firmly on the side of freedom and democracy. The security packages we passed will continue America’s long-standing and steadfast security support of Israel, ensure Ukraine is sustained in their fight against Russian aggression, and provide Taiwan with needed military assistance to deter China, as well as deliver lifesaving humanitarian aid to millions of civilians living in conflict zones around the world. These packages are also an important investment in our domestic industrial base and will directly support good-paying jobs in South Jersey and across the United States. Let’s be clear: two months ago, House Republican leadership failed to hold a vote on the bipartisan Senate-passed security supplemental because they caved to extremist members of their caucus who wanted to block this desperately needed aid. While today’s packages provide our partners and allies with the tools and resources they need to defend themselves, this delay undoubtedly cost lives. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I will continue to work to ensure that Israel can defend itself against terrorists, Ukraine can defeat Putin, and Taiwan can deter Chinese aggression. I’m proud to stand with our allies and partners and strengthen democracy around the world.”
REP. FRANK PALLONE, JR. (D-LONG BRANCH)
“The House of Representatives made it clear today that the United States remains united in our defense of freedom and democracy around the world. I proudly voted in favor of legislation that delivers the assistance our allies need to defend against attacks from our foreign adversaries.
“For over three years, Ukrainians have endured Putin’s unprovoked aggression and assault on their country’s sovereignty. House Democrats have demanded that Speaker Johnson stop endangering our national security and allow the House to vote on security assistance to Ukraine. I am glad House Republicans finally decided to support the interests of the United States and pass a bill that delivers the military aid Ukraine needs to defend its territory. It’s clear Putin is working with our foreign adversaries to threaten our national security interests, and we cannot stand on the sidelines as Russia, Iran, and China undermine freedom and democracy around the world.
“Over six months after Hamas attacked Israel, the House reaffirmed our commitment to Israel’s right to exist today by providing additional military aid. Iran’s attack last week made it clear that we must continue to support Israel’s defense against attacks from Iran and regional proxies. I’ve been a strong supporter of assistance to Israel and will continue to support military assistance for Israel whenever necessary.
“Finally, I also voted to send military aid to Taiwan and to enhance security cooperation with other regional partners in the Indo-Pacific so that they can counter China’s destabilizing actions. Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has emboldened Iran and China to use terror and military aggression to achieve their objectives, making these bills more critical now than ever.”
REP. BILL PASCRELL (D-PATERSON)
“For two years now, Russia has been committing mass murder and for two years Ukraine has been fighting for its very survival. This aid should have been passed many months ago. Republicans’ cruel and deliberate delays have done Russia’s bidding and cost countless Ukrainian lives. The pain and anguish in our community is palpable. Extremist Republicans blocked us for months at the behest of Donald Trump, who has tried to aid his friend Vladimir Putin. This vote proves, once more, that despite whatever Putin’s propagandists parrot, the majority of Congress, the Biden administration, and the American people stand shoulder to shoulder with the Ukrainian people in their struggle. As a beacon of freedom, America will be with Ukraine with a resolve that is unwavering, unflagging, and unbreakable. This support will save lives and will hasten the end of Russia’s barbaric illegal war. May God bless Ukraine.”
REP. MIKIE SHERRILL (D-MONTCLAIR)
“I know from my service in the Navy that the U.S. must always stand on the side of freedom and democracy. This long-awaited funding will deliver crucial support for our allies and push back against the aggression from U.S. adversaries across the world. Whether it is our support for Ukraine’s valiant defense against Putin’s brutal invasion; Iron Dome and other funding for Israel’s defense against attacks from Hamas, Iran, and to keep the war from escalating into a regional conflict; life-saving humanitarian assistance for Palestinian civilians in Gaza; or support for our allies in the the Asia-Pacific in the face of rising aggression by the Chinese Communist Party; this legislation supports U.S. interests around the world and protects U.S. values here at home.
“I’m also pleased the bill includes my legislation to protect U.S. national security and sensitive data from the threat posed by the CCP’s influence over TikTok.
“Make no mistake: We’re at an inflection point, and America cannot walk away from our leadership role in the world, as Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans are threatening. There is nothing ‘America First’ about surrendering to a brutal dictator like Vladimir Putin or failing to address the CCP’s malign influence. We must always rise to the moment to defend our national security interests and democracy across the globe.”
REP. CHRISTOPHER SMITH (R-MANCHESTER)
“The United States must make absolutely clear in both word and deed, not just today, but every day—and without equivocation—that we stand with Israel,” said Smith, the Co-Chair of the Israel Allies Caucus.
“Both defensive weapons systems like Iron Dome and David’s Sling and all necessary offensive military capabilities must be conveyed without delay to Israel for as long as it takes to defeat Hamas and to deter Iran, Hezbollah, and other radical Islamists,” Smith said.
“Of significance, HR 8034 prohibits aid to Gaza from flowing through UNRWA, an antisemitic disgraceful organization that teaches Palestinian children to hate Jews and glorifies suicidal martyrdom and the evisceration of Israel as a state,” said Smith, who has chaired three hearings over the past ten months on UNRWA’s unbridled antisemitism and recently joined an international panel of experts in Geneva to highlight the issue.
“UNRWA is a child soldiers factory that we have funded for decades. Twenty-one years ago—on this Floor in 2003—I offered an amendment that passed the House to defund UNRWA. The Senate never acted.”
“A few weeks ago, the Foreign Affairs Committee passed my bill to stop UNRWA funding,”
“Israel has an absolute right to exist—free from aggression and antisemitic hate.”