Reaffirming the ties between the United States and the Philippines.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1160, I call up the bill (H.R. 8036) making emergency supplemental appropriations for assistance for the Indo-Pacific region and for related expenses for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to offer H.R. 8036, the Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Act of 2024.

The bill provides $8.12 billion in emergency supplemental appropriations to continue efforts to counter Communist China and ensure a strong deterrence in the region.

It includes $3.3 billion to develop submarine infrastructure; $2 billion for the foreign military financing program for Taiwan and other key partners in the region; $1.9 billion for replenished defense articles and defense services provided to Taiwan and regional partners; $542 million to strengthen U.S. military capabilities in the region, and $133 million to enhance the production and development of artillery and critical minerals.

Today's bill should not be viewed in isolation. It is part of a series of three security supplemental bills and a related national security measure, all of which are being considered as part of a comprehensive funding package.

This measure and the other two supplemental bills will provide needed military assistance to Israel and Ukraine during their time of crisis; will provide support for Taiwan as it confronts aggression from the Chinese Communist Party; and will provide support for the U.S. military forces operating in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, including the critical replenishment of American stocks of ammunition.

American's greatest writer, Mark Twain, is reputed to have said: ``History does not repeat itself, but it does sometimes rhyme.''

Tragically, the past 2 years have produced echoes of a dark time in world history, the 1930s.

In the 1930s, evil regimes bent on aggression, domination, and even genocide, took their first steps down a dark road that would eventually lead to world war.

Tragically, the democratic West turned inward then, standing idly by while fascist regimes began to take aggressive actions against their weaker neighbors.

There was time then to put a stop to aggression, if only we had had the fortitude and the wherewithal to stand firmly on the side of freedom.

Today, we are seeing uncomfortable parallels to that dark time. In Europe, Vladimir Putin launched an unjust and illegal invasion of his democratic neighbor, Ukraine. In Asia and the Pacific, the Chinese Communist Party encroaches on its neighbors and openly threatens the continued self-determination of Taiwan, a nation which continues to show the world what a free and democratic China could look like.

In the Middle East, Israel faces attacks on multiple fronts, beginning with the horrible terror attack launched by Hamas on October 7, and continuing with an unprecedented direct aerial assault launched by the Iran regime over the weekend.

These events do not take place in a vacuum, Madam Speaker. They take place in regions around the world critical to American national security. They threaten our friends and partners around the globe and threaten the continued safety of democracy.

The security of our fellow democratic states is our security, and protecting their security is undoubtedly in America's national interests.

Some of America's greatest leaders of the 20th century recognize this fundamental reality. I think of Franklin Roosevelt calling on America to become the great arsenal of democracy to defeat Nazi Germany. I think of Ronald Reagan reminding us that the preservation of a peaceful, free, and democratic Europe is essential to the preservation of a peaceful, free, and democratic United States.

Madam Speaker, peace through strength cannot be delivered through appeasement. We cannot wish our way to national security, and we cannot thrust our heads into the sand while aggressive nations threaten their neighbors.

Today's measure is not only about safeguarding the ideals of democracy and peace, but it is also central to our own national security.

The actions we take today will be seen and heard around the world. Vladimir Putin is watching. Xi Jinping is watching. The Iranian mullahs are watching. What will we show them? Will we show them that our commitment to security does not stop at the water's edge? Will we show them that we know that the security of our friends and our partners around the globe is our security? Or will we fail to take action and, in doing so, give these powers the same gift we gave to the fascist powers in the 1930s?

I know which I would choose. I know what I would show our adversaries, these tyrants and dictators, that just in Ronald Reagan's time, the United States stands committed to the common defense, that our commitment to our friends and partners stands both now and into the future.

Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Womack), chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies of the Appropriations Committee.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Kim), my good friend.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson), my very good friend.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Lamborn), my very good friend.

Madam Speaker, may I inquire how much time I have remaining.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for closing.

I begin by thanking the Speaker and the Rules Committee, particularly my good friends Chairman Burgess and Ranking Member McGovern, for structuring this debate so every Member in this Chamber would have an opportunity to express their opinion on every issue. This is really a very welcome gift. Nobody is being jammed. Everybody can voice their own opinion.

I thank my good friend, the ranking member of the full Appropriations Committee, for working with me. We have had a long friendship and a long professional relationship, and I look forward to the years ahead working with her.

Finally, Madam Speaker, I urge all our colleagues to support all four of these bills. We are, as speaker after speaker has said, at a critical moment in our history. We need to stand firm. We need to send a clear signal to the rest of the world, so please pass the bills.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 837, which reaffirms the vital partnership between the United States and the Philippines. I thank Delegate Moylan and Representative Bobby Scott for bringing forward this important and timely resolution.

The relationship between our two democracies is more than just a longstanding alliance; it is a cornerstone for stability in the Indo- Pacific region.

Over the past year, Beijing has persistently and illegally bullied the Philippines in the South China Sea. The Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia have intensified their harassment of Philippine fishing vessels in contested waters as well as within the Philippines' own exclusive economic zone.

Chinese security forces have used water cannons, wielded axes and machetes, engaged in ramming and blocking maneuvers, and interfered with humanitarian supply missions of the Philippine Coast Guard.

These actions are dangerous and unacceptable. Beijing's military coercion and provocation threaten the Philippines' sovereignty as well as peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Philippine President Marcos has spoken passionately about the daily harassment faced by his nation's fishermen and coast guard at the hands of China's maritime militia, coast guard, and navy. His message has been clear:

The Philippines need international support to uphold international law and safeguard its sovereignty.

By passing this resolution today, we are offering that support. Amidst Beijing's flagrant and irresponsible actions, H. Res. 837 makes clear that the United States stands with the Philippines and reaffirms our commitment to defending the Philippines in the event of an armed attack against it. The resolution also upholds the importance of freedom of navigation and the rule of law on the seas, condemns the PRC's dangerous tactics, and rejects its unlawful maritime claims.

Over the past 4 years, the Biden administration has strengthened our alliance with the Philippines. We have bolstered our interoperability with the Philippines Armed Forces through a vital expansion of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement to four new sites.

The United States has also promoted partner collaboration with the Philippines, principally by hosting President Marcos in D.C. for the inaugural U.S.-Philippines-Japan Trilateral Summit and strengthening security coordination with Australia, Japan, and the Philippines.

Congress also did its part by passing the critical National Security Supplemental earlier this year with funds for our partners and allies in the Indo-Pacific.

Passing this resolution advances those efforts by reaffirming the alliance, as well as our shared resolve to uphold peace, stability, and the rule of law in the region.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott), the ranking member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and a strong supporter of the bilateral relationship between the U.S. and the Philippines.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case), a very strong supporter of our partners in the Pacific.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, the U.S.-Philippines alliance is imperative to both our security and the security of the Indo-Pacific region. Today, the Philippines is on the front lines in Beijing's attempts to flout international law and upend the status quo in the South China Sea. As Philippine vessels face threat and intimidation from Beijing, we must work together to ensure that our friends are not alone and that they do not waver.

By agreeing to H. Res. 837, we can send a clear message: The United States stands with the Philippines against Beijing's coercion and intimidation as we work to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.

I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting H. Res. 837.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 8036, the Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, a bill whose passage is essential to our national security.

By far and away, the greatest threat to world peace since the fall of the Soviet Union is a Communist China that seeks to displace the United States as global hegemon, while nursing historical grievances over past humiliations by nations of the West.

The People's Republic of China is not simply a strategic rival of the United States, but a systemic one, which seeks to rewrite the entire rules-based international order and recreate it in its own image.

To that end, it has targeted Taiwan, known formally as the Republic of China.

The strategic importance of Taiwan in countering the Chinese Communist Party's hegemonistic ambitions cannot be overstated. It is the anchor of the first island chain, stretching from Japan to the Philippines, and it is a major economic and trade power in its own right. It dominates the semiconductor supply chain, integral to our economic and security well-being.

But more than that, it is a beacon of hope for the Chinese people, a bastion of democracy and freedom and a rebuke to the narrative of Xi Jinping and the CCP that the Chinese tradition is inimical to democracy and human rights.

Taiwan, like Israel, is an absolutely key strategic ally in a dangerous part of the world. To keep the peace, we must ensure that it has the arms necessary to defend itself, and we must stand by it against any cross-Strait aggression.

Congress' commitment to Taiwan is longstanding, and it is important that we reaffirm that today, so as to underscore to the regime on the Chinese mainland that there is can be no doubt or ambiguity--strategic or otherwise--regarding that commitment.

As the bedrock Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 clearly stated, we are committed to resisting ``any resort to force or other forms of coercion that would jeopardize the security, or the social or economic system, of the people in Taiwan.

Ronald Reagan constantly and consistently stated that we achieve ``Peace through strength.''

It is that strength--and the willingness to resort to force of arms-- that keeps the peace, paradoxical as that may seem to some.

Towards that end, we need to be prepared. That is why I in the House and Marco Rubio in the Senate introduced the Taiwan Protection and National Resilience Act, first in 2022 and then again in this Congress. That bill calls for a strategy to counter any coercive action by Communist China towards Taiwan.

It is why I introduced an amendment to last year's NDAA which called for assisting Taiwan in developing an asymmetric naval self-defense capability, enhanced by small, high speed, long-range, extreme-weather- capable, reduced-radar-signature boats.

Another idea whose time has come is developing a technology security alliance with Taiwan and our other allies in Asia such as Japan and South Korea. We would create a trade network that provides a realistic alternative to China, providing a shield against any coercion by China. Former Taiwan Legislative Yuan member Jason Hsu has championed that idea, and it is a good one.

Finally, there is a backlog in sending weapons and ordnance to Taiwan, some $19 billion worth, due to our commitments elsewhere, and due to bureaucratic and production bottlenecks. Co-production--the building of weapons in Taiwan, under contract, from drones to small boats to missiles--is something that needs to be done, so that Taiwan can deter mainland aggression.

Let us unequivocally state: we stand with the people of Taiwan, and our Indo-Pacific allies.

I will vote in favor of H.R. 8036 and urge my colleagues to do the same.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in strong support of the Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, which will provide allies in the Indo-Pacific region with the support they need to counter China's aggressive and adversarial posture.

The post-World War order, U.S. leadership, and our historic and strong allyship with Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and the Philippines have created enduring peace and prosperity for much of the region.

Retreating from Asia under the guise of putting ``America first'' would be a colossal mistake and would yield the fate of democracy and freedom in the Western Pacific to the whims of an autocratic Communist Government of the People's Republic of China.

China is expanding its military capability at a rapid pace, and it is using its influence to suppress dissenters. We have already seen rollbacks of once ironclad rights and freedoms in places like Hong Kong.

This bill provides $3.9 billion to support Taiwan and other allies and to replenish our own equipment stocks, as well as $3.3 billion for the AUKUS trilateral security partnership.

The world is watching and waiting to see if the America that they know is ready to stand for freedom and democracy and against tyranny. It is up to us to show them that America, their trusted ally, is right here and that we have their back. We must demonstrate that our word can be counted on. Xi is watching. Our friends in Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and the Philippines are watching.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Krishnamoorthi), the ranking member of the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the CCP.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney), a member of the Armed Services Committee and ranking member on the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen).

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Beyer).

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Mrvan).

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Kamlager-Dove).

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

At this juncture, I thank the former chair of the Appropriations Committee, our colleague, Kay Granger. It has really been my honor to serve with Congresswoman Granger. She has been a pioneer in so many ways.

I have said it to many folks, and especially to the women who serve in this House: No one hands you anything here. You earn it. Kay Granger has earned every bit of the accolades and the titles she has received because she earned it, she deserves it, and she is an outstanding Member of this body.

Madam Speaker, I would also say it is an honor to serve with Chairman Cole. I think it really is impressive that in the second week leading the committee, we are passing a long overdue supplemental to aid our allies. That is to his credit, and I thank him very much.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms. Clark), the distinguished Democratic whip and former member of the Appropriations Committee.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I claim the time in opposition, although I am not opposed to the amendment.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott).

Madam Speaker, preserving the safety, security, and prosperity of our Nation is arguably our most important duty. There is a new axis of evil on the rise around the world, and just like the terrible original, this group is bound together by their desire to subjugate their people and destroy freedom and democracy all around the world. They want to end American leadership and prosperity.

The second half of the 20th century was the most prosperous in our Nation, and that prosperity was underpinned by relative peace. Increasing our strength and the strength of our allies is the only avenue to peace. This package does just that.

I thank Speaker Johnson for his courage and leadership, and I thank my good friends, Chairman Cole, Chairman Calvert, and Chairman Diaz- Balart, for putting this package together and putting it on the floor.

Madam Speaker, I was in the Army National Guard for over 30 years. A significant part of that time was spent training to fight and win against the Red Army in the Fulda Gap. There is a new Red Army today, and they are inching closer to Central Europe. This time, we have a democratic country in Eastern Europe in their way. All they need are weapons and training.

That is among the bills in the package that we provide today, which this body will vote on. Without this package, Putin will continue his march of death and destruction. Without this package, our own Army will have to cancel Combat Center training rotations, the training events that keep our forces the greatest in the free world.

During those 30 years, I was deployed with my battalion to the Sinai in Egypt. Standing on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing, I saw firsthand the death and destruction of Hamas. I also saw our greatest ally in the region, Israel, defending itself. This package today provides Israel with the tools it needs to destroy terrorists killing, capturing, and raping its citizens.

Our friends need our help, and without this package, our Navy--our Navy--will be without critical air defense munitions required to protect our sailors. These air defense assets enable our control of the seas.

Another dictator is marshaling his resources and planning to upend the free and open Indo-Pacific region that has contributed so much to American prosperity. This package makes important investments in our defense capabilities to deter this aggression. Without it, we will produce fewer submarines, produce fewer antiship missiles, and underfund the requirements of our commanders in the region.

Madam Speaker, Arkansans are at the forefront of producing critical munitions, from Tomahawk missiles to standard missiles to naval strike missiles, all funded in this package. Yes, Arkansas, like many other States, is the forge of the arsenal of democracy.

Today's vote seems pretty simple to me. We are choosing between strength and weakness, between freedom and repression, and between prosperity and decline.

Madam Speaker, I ask my fellow Members to look past the end of your noses, understand the context and gravity of the situation we face and that our partners and allies face, and support this package today.