Press Releases
Floor Speech: Womack Leads Calls to Support our Ally Israel
Washington,
September 23, 2021
Washington, DC—September 23, 2021....Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) delivered remarks during debate on H.R. 5323, legislation that would secure resources for the Iron Dome, Israel’s vital defense system, which protects innocent civilians from terrorist attacks. The bill is needed to reverse House Democrats’ removal of funding for this longstanding security initiative after Speaker Pelosi caved to progressive members’ anti-Israel sentiments. It's critically important to both American security and Middle East regional stability that our relationship remains strong.  Watch Congressman Womack’s floor speech here. Transcript of remarks: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank my good friend, the Republican Leader of the Appropriations Committee, Ms. Granger, for the time. “I rise this afternoon in steadfast support of this supplemental, and, of Israel. “In the same week President Biden pledged to stand with our allies, his Democrat counterparts removed critical defense resources for our longstanding ally and friend. “We shouldn’t be surprised, given the openly anti-Semitic sentiments—and comparisons of Israel and America to terrorist organizations—expressed by some on the other side. “The State of Israel has the right to exist free from terror. This point should not be controversial. “And the bill is simple as evidenced by the colloquy just a minute ago. It replenishes the defensive Iron Dome system. I’ll say it again, replenishes a defensive system. “The Iron Dome has no offensive capability, and, yet, there are still members on the Democrat side of the aisle who oppose it. “And, it was that opposition, Mr. Speaker, that delayed proceedings in this very Chamber on Tuesday, forcing leadership to pull Iron Dome from the continuing resolution, so they could have the votes to pass it. “Interestingly, we didn’t see the same visceral reaction to leaving more than a billion dollars’ worth of artillery in the hands of terrorists in Afghanistan, as we are seeing with this defensive system. “They are openly opposing a capability that protects women and children from terrorist rocket attacks. “In the words of our own Speaker, ‘it’s about the children.’ “Earlier this year, Hamas and other terrorist organizations launched more than 4,000 rockets at Israeli civilians. We are talking about children and families simply trying to live their lives. “I hope this bill passes without opposition. That, Mr. Speaker, should be the standard. “So, I urge each and every one of my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.” Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee. ### |