{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-supports-package-security-assistance-bills-support", "Rep. Cleaver Supports Package of Security Assistance Bills to Support Democratic Allies Around the World and Provide Humanitarian Assistance", "2024-04-20", "2024", "2024-04", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 Today, following months of obstruction from House Republicans to prevent a vote, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) voted in favor of a series of bills to provide security and humanitarian assistance to America\u2019s democratic allies in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. The bipartisan legislation will provide $95 billion in aid to Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and Palestinian civilians.\n\n\u201cAs we learned so painfully nearly a century ago, you cannot appease dictators seeking to expand their despotism and destroy liberty; you must confront them with a resolute determination to defend freedom at home and abroad,\u201d said Congressman Cleaver. \u201cToday\u2019s vote, with history watching, may have been the most significant vote that we take during the 118th Congress, and I\u2019m glad we sent a bipartisan message that America will not back down in the face of terrorism and authoritarian aggression. We will stand with our allies and stand for those in need around the world. I was proud to fight \u2013 along with my Democratic colleagues \u2013 for the inclusion of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people in Gaza, civilians in Ukraine, and those around the world, and am reassured to see over $9 billion in aid provided in the package. My vote was contingent on that aid being included, and I recognize that the U.S. and other allies must continue to hold the Israeli government to their promise to speed up the process and increase the amount of humanitarian aid going into Gaza. I remain concerned about Prime Minister Netanyahu\u2019s plans for military action in Rafah, and the impact that would have on the over 1 million civilians living in southern Gaza.\u201d\n\nThe bipartisan national security package includes:\n\n$60.8 billion in assistance to Ukraine to provide a desperately needed resupply of artillery rounds, air defense missiles, and other advanced weaponry needed to defeat Russia\u2019s illegal invasion.\n\n$17.8 billion in aid to Israel to assist their defense against Iran, Hamas, and other terror groups, including funding to replenish the Iron Dome and David\u2019s Sling defense systems.\n\n$9 billion forhumanitarian relief in Gazaand around world to ensure innocent civilians have access to critically needed food, water, medicine, and other aid.\n\n$8 billion to strengthen security in the Indo-Pacific, including more than $4 billion for assistance to Taiwan to counter the Chinese Communist Party and ensure strong deterrence in the region.\n\n\u201cNot only will this national security package strengthen the defense of freedom around the world, but it will also allow the DOD to replenish its stockpiles with our most advanced technologies, benefit American businesses and workers across the country, and strengthen our economic security,\u201d said Congressman Cleaver. \u201cAlthough I\u2019m deeply frustrated that House Republicans wasted months delaying this desperately needed assistance to our friends and fellow democracies around the world, I\u2019m relieved that we are finally sending the support they need to fend off Putin, Iran, and the Chinese Communist Party.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:47:55Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-supports-package-security-assistance-bills-support"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.778287347406149, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}