{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/applauding-resources-international-partners-larsen-vows-defend-alliances-%E2%80%9Cno-matter", "Applauding Resources for International Partners, Larsen Vows to Defend Alliances No Matter What Comes Out of This Next Administration", "2016-12-05", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Rick Larsen", "L000560", "larsen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), released the following statement after the House voted on Friday 354\u201334 to provide $3.4 billion for the European Reassurance Initiative and $350 million to train and equip Ukrainian security forces as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2017:\n\u201cNATO is not a protection racket \u2013 it is the most successful alliance in military history \u2013 and the incoming administration would do well to learn from this vote,\u201d said Larsen, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee. \u201cThe resources included in this legislation reaffirm the United States\u2019 commitment to working with international partners who share our values \u2013 including our NATO allies \u2013 a commitment I will continue to defend no matter what comes out of this next Administration.\u201d\nThe $3.4 billion for the European Reassurance Initiative will increase military presence in Europe, expand training exercises with NATO allies and partners, and improve the U.S.\u2019 ability to respond in Europe.\u00a0Budgeted programs include presence of an Army Armored Brigade Combat Team, Baltic Air Policing, and building partner capacity through increased military-to-military engagement.\nThe NDAA also includes $350 million for security assistance to Ukraine \u2013 which faces increased aggression from Russia and Russia-backed separatists.\u00a0This assistance includes equipment, intelligence support, and training programs, with half of the funding reserved until Ukraine undertakes defense institutional reforms.\nEarlier this year, Larsen forcefully defended the United States\u2019 commitment to NATO after then-Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump questioned\u00a0the United States\u2019 existing agreements with and commitment to defending its NATO allies.\nA full summary of the NDAA is available here.\nThe bill now moves to the Senate for a vote.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "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": ["http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/applauding-resources-international-partners-larsen-vows-defend-alliances-%E2%80%9Cno-matter"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8874991908669472, "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"}