WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) delivered the following remarks at this afternoon’s Senate Democratic leadership press conference. Video of Senator Murray’s remarks is available HERE. More information about the Senate Appropriations Committee hearing Murray chaired on the president’s national security supplemental funding request, with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III, is HERE.
Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, are below:
“Thank you. I just chaired a hearing with Secretaries Blinken and Austin about the national security challenges we face in Ukraine, Israel, the Indo-Pacific, and around the world.
“And in our discussion, it was clear Senators on both sides of the aisle understand we have to meet this moment with one robust package—we can’t do just half our job here.
“Because, while the challenges we and our partners face across the globe are distinct—they are connected and they are urgent.
“This is not the time to be shortsighted, or play political games like Speaker Johnson’s proposal does. We are not abandoning our allies in Ukraine. We are not punting on lifesaving humanitarian aid, and we are not conditioning our support for Israel on giving billionaire tax cheats a get-out-of-jail free card.
“That is a proposal that will go nowhere here in the Senate.
“This is a time to be strategic and work together for the good of our country.
“We need a package that treats each of these crises seriously, and that’s exactly what I’m working on drafting with Senator Collins.
“We must take a full view of this moment.
“If we are going to get this right, we have to understand how these conflicts are developing today and what our strategy is for the future.
“It’s especially important that we see the big-picture without losing sight of the human reality on the ground—the fact that in the middle of every conflict, are civilians—residents who are displaced from their homes, hostages torn from their families, people facing obstacles getting basic medical services, and kids and families who desperately need food and water.
“Any package absolutely must continue our long-standing and all-important tradition of leading the global humanitarian response—that really matters.
“Let me be clear here: we are helping make sure people have food, water, and medical care—whether they are in Ukraine or Gaza. It is not just the right and moral thing to do, it also is very clearly in our national interest as it promotes long-term stability and security—combatting hopelessness that can spiral into new threats.
“We have to show we understand that. Because make no mistake, Hamas is hoping we ignore the humanitarian needs in Gaza, so it can drive people to despair, then anger.
“We cannot play into their hands.
“Investing in humanitarian aid makes the world and America safe—this is absolutely a critical component of any supplemental.
“All of our adversaries are watching closely to see whether we have the vision here to recognize how these crises are related, and the resolve to come together and respond forcefully to them.
“I hope Senators on both sides are ready to show our adversaries unity—not dysfunction.
“Finally, before I conclude, let me say this firmly and unequivocally: we are the United States of America—we can stand with our allies around the world, and tackle the challenges facing our families here at home at the same time.
“And at times like these, we must.
“So I will keep pushing for us to take swift action on the domestic challenges like the child care crisis as well.”
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