Rep. Scholten Statement on H.R. 7217

Today, Rep. Hillary Scholten (MI-03) released the following statement on H.R. 7217, a bill that was unilaterally put forward outside of the bipartisan and bicameral agreements that congressional leaders have worked on for months:

“The legislation put on the floor by Speaker Johnson fails to meet this moment by playing politics with our national security, and further, has no chance of becoming law.

“I support Israel's right to exist as a democratic homeland for the Jewish people, and to ensure that right, Israel must defend itself against its enemies, including Hamas in the wake of the brutal terrorist attacks of October 7. For decades, this has been a bipartisan issue, and there is still a strong bipartisan coalition ready to support Israel. But today’s vote was not about supporting Israel and its right to defend itself.

“I have been working with bipartisan members urgently – for months – on a deal. Speaker Johnson abandoned those bipartisan negotiations and put forward a non-serious messaging bill that he knew would fail. This bill does not include much-needed humanitarian aid for innocent civilians who are suffering in Gaza. It does not include essential support for Ukraine, which continues to wage its war against the spread of authoritarianism. And it does not include a critical border security package that is essential to addressing the immigration crisis at our southern border.

“Our national security is a serious issue and demands a serious vote, not a political ploy, so I voted against this bill. I continue to push the Speaker to honor the comprehensive package that the president supports and that has bipartisan agreement in the Senate.

“Now more than ever we must stand together as the United States of America and link arms with our democratic allies around the world, continue our tireless work to bring home the hostages still held by Hamas, send critical aid to those afflicted by war, and protect our security at home through comprehensive immigration reform.”