Press Releases

Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17), Congressman Anthony D’Esposito (NY-04), Congressman Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), Congressman Marc Molinaro (NY-19) Congressman Brandon Williams (NY-22), Congressman Nick LaLota (NY-01), and Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23) voted in favor of House Republicans’ Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act.  The sweeping aid package allocates $17.6 billion in emergency supplemental appropriations to provide military assistance to America’s closest ally, Israel, during this critical time in their war against Hamas terrorists, and funds certain costs incurred by the United States military operating in a support capacity in the region.  Notably, the legislation would provide important funding for Israeli defensive systems to protect civilians from terrorist rockets, including $4 billion to replenish the Iron Dome and David’s Sling missile defense systems and $1.2 billion for the Iron Beam defense system.

Despite the deep ties that bind the United States and Israel together as well as the two countries shared national security priorities and common enemy, Hamas, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and 166 House Democrats voted against the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act on February 6, 2024.  In response to this vote, Congressmen D’Esposito, Garbarino, Lawler, Molinaro, Williams, LaLota, and Langworthy issued the following joint statement.

“It is abhorrent that Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and 166 of his Democratic colleagues voted against providing $17.6 billion in critical aid to America’s closest ally, Israel, to support their ongoing war against Hamas terrorists.  While Hakeem Jeffries turned his back on America’s closest ally in their hour of need, New York House Republicans stood united in our support for the Israeli people and will continue to stand alongside the Middle East’s lone democracy as they defend their right to exist.”

New York's 17th Congressional District is just north of New York City, is home to one of the largest Jewish population in the country, and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties.