House-passed bills include funding for Ukraine to combat Russia’s illegal invasion, aid to Israel to deter Iranian and proxy hostilities, and critical support to Taiwan and other allies to deter China’s aggression in Indo-Pacific
WASHINGTON DC – Congressman Pat Ryan voted to strengthen American security and bolster democratic allies in the fight against the axis of increasingly emboldened authoritarian regimes. The package of legislation includes funding for Ukraine to combat Russia’s illegal invasion (the overwhelming majority of which will be spent here in the United States bolstering the manufacturing economy), aid to Israel to defend itself against continued aggression by Iran and its proxies, and critical support to Taiwan and other allies and partners to counter China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific. The legislative package also includes over $9 billion in humanitarian aid. Today’s vote follows months of continued pressure by Congressman Ryan, who repeatedly called on Speaker Johnson to bring these bills to the floor as U.S. adversaries grew emboldened by our failure to support democracies around the globe.
“My number one job is to keep the American people safe – that means strengthening our allies and ensuring we have the ability to deter and defeat enemies abroad, many of whom are actively working to destroy our country. By delivering for our allies in existential fights across the globe and providing humanitarian aid to those in need, including in Gaza, we are reasserting the United States as the leader in the battle for global freedom and democracy,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “We must be clear-eyed that Trump and the far-right’s dangerous embrace of Putin and retrenchment from the world poses a direct threat to the safety of our kids and future generations. They want to put their head in the sand at the very moment that the world is more dangerous than it’s been in my lifetime. To protect this country, we must show the forces of evil around the world that there is no greater friend and no worse foe than the United States of America.”
Details on the Legislation
Ukrainian and United States officials alike have sounded the alarm about the catastrophic consequences Ukraine would face in fending off Russia’s invasion if its ammunition shortage continues without additional U.S. military aid. The aid package that passed the House contained $60.84 billion to bolster Ukraine’s military in its existential war against Russia’s illegal invasion. The Biden Administration estimates that 64% of that will return to the U.S. industrial economy and $23.2 billion will replenish U.S. weapons, stockpiles, and facilities.
History of Ryan’s Fight to Pass Aid Package
In October 2023, Congressman Ryan denounced House Republicans for threatening a government shutdown instead of aiding U.S. allies in their fight against existential conflicts. Following terrorist group Hamas’ unprecedented attacks on Israel, Ryan called for the U.S. to aid Israel against attacks by Iranian proxy groups.
In November, Ryan joined House Democratic colleagues to call on House and Senate leadership to hold votes on security and humanitarian aid to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan.
In February, Congressman Ryan delivered a speech on the House floor condemning Speaker Johnson and the far-right for blocking aid to U.S. allies. On February 13, Congressman Ryan joined with colleagues to call on Speaker Johnson to allow the House to vote on the Senate-passed aid package to U.S. allies. On February 16, following the murder of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny, Ryan called on House Republicans to show a sliver of Navalny’s courage and combat Russian President Vladimir Putin’s authoritarianism by passing aid to Ukraine. On February 24, the second anniversary of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, Ryan again called on colleagues to stand with Ukraine and to send direct aid to our democratic ally.
On March 19, Ryan joined fellow military veterans to sign a discharge petition and held a press conference on the Capitol steps to call on House leadership to hold a vote on aid to Ukraine. Congressman Ryan recently applauded his hometown of Kingston for signing a ‘Sister City’ agreement with Sokyryany, Ukraine and demanded that Congress similarly stand with Ukraine as an ally and send aid.
