00:00I thank my friend from New York for yielding. I thank him for leading this discussion on
00:07behalf of the Rules Committee today. I wanted to come down and speak in support of the rule
00:11and I want to speak in support of the underlying bills.
00:15We do honor National Police Week. Republicans are advancing seven pieces of legislation
00:21to reaffirm their commitment to our nation's law enforcement. Yet again, we are seeing
00:26our colleagues misrepresenting the legislation that really should be bipartisan.
00:32Every single day, Madam Speaker, thousands of men and women in blue put their lives on
00:36the line to protect their communities and keep we the people safe. Last year, in fact,
00:44more than 370 law enforcement officers were shot in the line of duty, the highest year
00:49on record. Law enforcement officers and their departments are under increased scrutiny from
00:55the public, all the while trying to navigate a crisis at our southern border, a historic
01:00upsurge in crime, and an unfortunate rise in drug-related deaths throughout the country.
01:07It is no surprise then, Madam Speaker, that the police departments across the country
01:11have had trouble recruiting and retaining officers and keeping new officer candidates.
01:19This week, started by President Kennedy in 1962, this week is set aside to commemorate
01:25and honor all of the officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. I'm grateful
01:31to North Texas law enforcement officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice this year and
01:36for those who are currently serving. In honor of this week, I encourage everyone, I encourage
01:41everyone to reach out and thank their local law enforcement officers and their families
01:47for their service and for their sacrifice.
01:51Madam Speaker, I also wanted to express my support for the Israel Security Assistance
01:55Support Act. Amid the Biden administration's pause on munitions shipments to Israel, it
02:02is imperative for the United States, for this House, for Republicans and Democrats, to stand
02:08behind Israel. Last week, President Biden and his administration paused vital defense
02:14articles from shipment to Israel. This action will have the effect of not only prolonging
02:21the conflict, but it is an unfortunate disregard of the legislative process of our powers granted
02:29under Article I of the Constitution. The idea that the President can ignore bipartisan,
02:34bicameral legislation that he signed into law, well, this is a new predicament entirely.
02:42H.R. 8369 provides for the assured timely delivery of defense services and articles
02:49to Israel and condemns the Biden administration for their efforts to condition aid to an ally.
02:57After the withdrawal in Afghanistan, Madam Speaker, maintaining our commitment to a formal
03:01ally is extremely necessary and important. Israel is defending itself again against a
03:08regional threat. It is defending itself against a known terrorist organization, one that hides
03:14behind its own people. Israel must have the resources it needs to combat Hamas and any
03:21other entity that seeks to destroy civil rights and civil liberties. It is for this reason
03:26that the United States will continue to stand by our allies in their time of need.
03:31Madam Speaker, I urge members to support the underlying bill and I urge support for the
03:37rule and I yield back to the gentleman from New York.
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