Statement by Rep. Mikie Sherrill on H.R. 7217
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Mikie Sherrill released the following statement after voting against H.R. 7217:
“The United States and our allies are facing security threats and attacks across the world. From the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022; to the horrific Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023; to the numerous attacks on U.S. forces across the Middle East in the wake of October 7th, which resulted in the deaths of three U.S. service members and dozens of injuries; the United States has a critical global leadership role to play. We must support Ukraine in their fight for democracy and support our NATO allies as they work to ensure Russia does not continue its attack on democratic nations in Eastern Europe. We must work with our allies in the Middle East to ensure security for Israel, gain the release of all remaining hostages, and negotiate a pause in military operations to address the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. We must also protect U.S. service members in the Middle East from Iranian-backed attacks and, with our allies, protect freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, which is critical to global supply chains.
“As a former Navy helicopter commander and Russian policy officer, I can assure you that these are tall orders. And we are working to do this with the backdrop of Putin hosting Hamas leaders in Moscow and funding Iranian military operations by purchasing Iranian military hardware for use in Ukraine. I’m also deeply concerned by China continuing to exert its influence across the South China Sea and over new technologies that allow the CCP to surveil populations, shape public discourse online and fuel antisemitism, and empower would-be dictators who undermine democracy and the U.S.
“Given all that we are facing, we need leadership. Now is not the time for partisan attacks or political gamesmanship. Instead, we have to continue to work towards a solution that has bipartisan support and can address these problems. We had that in the Senate bill – but at Trump’s direction, Senate Republicans and Speaker Johnson killed those efforts, all in order to help Trump’s campaign. I could say a lot of things about that, some of them unprintable. What I will say is that it is not leadership — that is undermining American power, and that hurts the American people, not to mention our allies and friends.
“Israel and our allies in Ukraine and the Asia-Pacific need our support, and Americans deserve leadership. The people of Gaza deserve humanitarian relief and a better future. Washington Republicans have failed to deliver any of this. I will stand up for American interests no matter the challenges because leaders must do what is hard to get to what is right.”
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