Ken Calvert

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa).

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Obernolte).

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Emmer), the Republican whip.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McHenry).

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Duarte).

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Valadao).

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Kiley).

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hill).

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Moylan).

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. McCarthy), the Speaker Emeritus, for any remarks he may want to make.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, it has been my privilege to lead this Special Order for the last hour to say good-bye to our friend from the floor but not from our lives. He will be around. Finally, I will requote our friend from Bakersfield, California, Merle Haggard, once again: If we make it through December Got plans to be in a warmer town come summertime Maybe even California If we make it through December, we'll be fine. Merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6363, which will prevent a government shutdown. Over the past several months, House Republicans have been hard at work passing appropriations bills to cover over 75 percent of Federal discretionary spending. We also passed the supplemental appropriations bill to support our ally, Israel. As a chairman of the Defense Subcommittee, I am proud of our Members' work to pass a bipartisan fiscal year `24 Defense spending bill with a high level of Member input. However, the Senate has been unable to pass all their appropriations bills in a timely manner and, unfortunately, this means we need more time to complete the FY24 appropriations process. H.R. 6363 extends current spending to January and February of next year. This split approach incentivizes the Senate to negotiate with us on all 12 bills. For our military, this bill ensures our troops continue their mission without fear of missing a paycheck. It also includes anomalies to keep the Columbia-class submarine, which is the top modernization priority of the Department of Defense, United States Navy, on schedule. For those of us who have been in Congress for a shutdown, we have seen firsthand the damage it does to our military readiness. A shutdown would prevent any contract changes or new contracts for the entire Department of Defense. It would require Active-Duty servicemembers to report to work without pay. It would close essential base services for military families. It would reduce training, and it would create a long list of other hardships for the United States military. As threats like China and Russia continue their provocation, we must avoid these failures at all costs. As an appropriator, I know how imperative it is that Congress carries out its constitutional responsibility and passes the 12 appropriations bills as soon as possible. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge support of this bill.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6126, which provides security assistance to Israel, supports the security of our embassy personnel, enables the evacuation of U.S. citizens, and strengthens the ability of our industrial base to respond to this crisis. On October 7, Hamas terrorists carried out a barbaric attack on Israel that took the lives of more than 1,400 innocent Israelis, including 32 American citizens. Mr. Speaker, I stand firmly behind Israel's right to defend itself and destroy the Hamas terrorist organization. The world would be a safer place once that organization is eliminated. Last week, the House of Representatives passed House Resolution 771-- a resolution which I cosponsored--by a vote of 412-0. That resolution reaffirms the United States' commitment to Israel's security. The bill we are considering today delivers on that commitment. This legislation contains $14.3 billion for Israel. As chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, I strongly support the bill's robust funding, which includes $4 billion for the Iron Dome and David's Sling missile defense systems; $1.2 billion for the Iron Beam defense system, which is a promising new technology which will, I think, be both helpful to Israel and the United States; $800 million for production of 155-millimeter rounds, which we need to get our supply chain rolling again; $198 million for the production and development of small-diameter bombs and precision-guided rockets; $4.4 billion to replenish the U.S. stocks transferred to Israel, such as precision-guided and other critical munitions, as well as medical supplies for Israel's Defense Forces; and $3.5 billion in Foreign Military Financing program funding for Israel. Mr. Speaker, Israel is at war. Hamas continues to launch rockets at Israel. They still hold hundreds of hostages. Israel must respond to this unprovoked attack on its people, defend itself, and fight to prevent future attacks. The United States will stand with them. Voting for this bill will provide much-needed support and send a clear message to Iran and its proxies that we will defend them. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5692, which provides security assistance to Ukraine and funds a special inspector general to oversee these and other funds provided by the American taxpayers. In 2016, the Ukraine Security Initiative, referred to as USAI, was created in response to increased Russian aggression. These funds, along with the National Guard State Partnership Program with California and other efforts, have transformed the Ukrainian military from a remnant of the Soviet empire to a capable and increasingly Western fighting force. This funding is not sent directly to Ukraine. Since 2016, these funds have been used to pay for the training U.S. troops provide Ukrainian troops and for U.S.-manufactured weapons we provide to Ukraine. Yesterday, I supported an amendment preventing the deployment of U.S. troops to Ukraine. This program allows us to train Ukrainian troops so they can defend their own country. Because of this initiative, the Ukrainian people have degraded the world's third-largest standing army and mobilized a continent against an evil actor. I was recently in Germany meeting with Ukrainian forces who were headed to the front lines. I met grandfathers who had left their families in order to learn to operate tanks, young adults who had signed up as interpreters, and American troops who are eagerly training the Ukrainian forces. They were all clear-eyed about their commitment to this fight. General Williams, the commander of the U.S. Army forces in Europe and Africa, said something that stuck with me: While America is giving its precious equipment and support, Ukrainians are giving their blood. This whole-of-nation effort to repel our common adversary deserves our support. I agree with my colleagues that the Biden administration needs to define our military objectives in Ukraine. We are and will continue to ask those difficult questions. I believe it is our duty to our constituents. I also agree that we need enhanced oversight. The funding in this bill will be subject to all the new oversight provisions that are in the fiscal year 2024 Defense appropriations bill. The bill also includes $20 million to fund a new special inspector general to improve end-use monitoring and oversight of taxpayer funds provided to assist Ukraine. Mr. Speaker, voting for this bill sends a strong message to Putin, Xi, and our partners in Ukraine. I strongly urge support of this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Kean).

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5692, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 730, I call up the bill (H.R. 5692) making supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

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

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson).

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hill), my good friend.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, I claim time in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, to my friend, we fund resilience in this bill. What we don't fund is electrifying Bradleys and tanks, which makes no sense. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.