Central ND News

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, has expressed his support for the national security supplemental legislation that recently passed the Senate with a vote of 70-29. In a statement, Senator Hoeven emphasized the importance of standing with Israel in the face of terrorist attacks by Hamas.

"We need to stand with Israel as they defend themselves against the horrific terrorist attacks of Hamas," said Senator Hoeven. He further stated his belief that U.S. support for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan should primarily focus on military assistance. The bill in question removed approximately $20 billion in non-military funding, redirecting the resources towards bolstering national defense.

Highlighting the significance of the bill, Senator Hoeven noted that over half of the assistance provided directly supports the United States' national defense efforts. This includes support for deployed forces and the replacement of outdated equipment with modern capabilities. Such investments are crucial for both U.S. national security and that of its allies and partners as they combat shared adversaries such as Putin and Hamas, while also countering the malign activities of the Chinese Communist Party.

While expressing support for the bill, Senator Hoeven also acknowledged the need for further improvements. He stated, "At the same time, we should have been able to amend and further improve the bill in the Senate, and we support a plan to convert this assistance into a loan and to remove additional non-military funding." This suggests that there is room for the House to make enhancements to the legislation.

In conclusion, Senator Hoeven emphasized the importance of providing aid to Israel, stating, "At the end of the day, I believe we need to get aid to Israel." With the bill now heading to the House, there is an opportunity for further refinement and the assurance of necessary assistance to Israel.