Chavez-DeRemer votes for aid to Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan; says legislation also targets global fentanyl traffickers

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) – Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) said she voted Saturday in favor of several proposals to support democratic allies of the United States, including Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan, and outlined what they included.

The bills were similar to the foreign aid laid out in the Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act, a bipartisan effort Chavez-DeRemer has helped lead since February.

In addition to providing critical military assistance, one of the bills that passed the House Saturday contained the FEND Off Fentanyl Act, which Chavez-DeRemer helped introduce last year to strengthen sanctions on international fentanyl traffickers.

“To protect national security, we cannot shy away from deterring international threats and supporting democracy abroad. As history has repeatedly taught us, failing to be forward-thinking in times of international instability provokes more violence, chaos, and unnecessary loss of life," she said.

"It’s disappointing that supporting our democratic allies has become a contentious issue, but I’m confident that those who show support for democracy during this tumultuous time are doing the right thing – and with this being one of the most impactful votes I’ll take this Congress,

"I find that it would be much harder to do the wrong thing than it is to do the right thing in this moment. That’s why I was proud to co-lead the Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act and was equally proud to continue standing with our allies by casting my vote in favor of the national security supplemental today,” Chavez-DeRemer said.

The Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act contains over $26 billion to support Israel and reimburse U.S. military operations, including:

• $4.4 billion to replenish U.S. defense equipment and services provided to Israel;
• $4 billion to replenish the Iron Dome;
• $2.4 billion for current U.S. military operations in the region to respond to recent attacks; and
• $1.2 billion for the Iron Beam defense system to counter short-range rockets and mortar threats.

The Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act contains over $60 billion to counter Russia’s unprovoked aggression, with over half of the funds being allocated to support the U.S. military and replenish stockpiles, including:

• $23.2 billion to replenish U.S. defense articles and services provided to Ukraine;
• $13.8 billion to acquire advanced weapons systems;
• $11.3 billion for current U.S. military operations in the region; and
• $26 million to continue oversight and accountability of aid provided to Ukraine.

The Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act contains over $8 billion to continue efforts to counter the Chinese Communist Party, including:

• $3.3 billion to develop submarine infrastructure;
• $2 billion in Foreign Military Financing Program for Taiwan and other key allies and security partners in the Indo-Pacific confronting Chinese aggression; and
• $1.9 billion to replenish defense articles and defense services provided to Taiwan and regional partners.

The 21st Century Peace through Strength Act contains provisions to bolster the resources provided in the bills supporting Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan, including:

• Sanctions targeting Iranian officials and oligarchs;
• An authorization of the REPO Act to seize Russian assets to help pay for the war effort;
• The FEND Off Fentanyl Act, which Chavez-DeRemer helped introduce to sanction transnational criminal organizations and members of drug cartels engaged in international fentanyl trafficking; and
• A provision that requires TikTok to sever its ties with the Chinese Communist Party