Press Releases

Washington DC — Representative Jim Himes, Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, today issued the following statement regarding the passage of a significant national security package through the Senate. The legislation passed with a bipartisan vote of 70-29.

“After months of delay, a large bipartisan majority in the Senate has finally passed a critical national security bill supporting Ukraine, Israel, humanitarian relief in Gaza, and Taiwan. In each of these regions, American security hangs in the balance. The bill now moves to the House, where it must receive swift consideration. If we voted today, it would pass easily.

“The House may never consider this critical bill because Speaker Johnson and other Republicans, many of whom claim to support our allies, live in fear of Donald Trump and his MAGA acolytes, a group that openly celebrates Putin and roots for Russia. History will judge harshly any Member of the House who does not use every tool at our disposal to pass this bill immediately.

“American and European support has given Ukraine the capability to defend itself against Russia with remarkable success, devastating Russian combat power without a single American soldier on the ground. The delay in our support has already diminished Ukraine’s ability to defend itself, and waiting any longer means rolling out the welcome mat for Putin to threaten our NATO allies.

“Speaker Johnson, I was with you in the White House, one day after taking the gavel, when you said we would pass an aid package for our allies. If your words mean anything, let the House vote.”