Press Releases

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) today released the following statement following her NO vote on H.R. 7217. The measure did not pass.

“House Democrats are ready to work in a bipartisan manner to pass a comprehensive bill that addresses our interconnected national security challenges. Unfortunately, instead of working in good faith to protect our national security, the standalone legislation House Republicans brought to the floor today is nothing more than a cynical political maneuver. This bill undermines efforts to pass a comprehensive, bipartisan funding package to address the multiple global security challenges we face in the Middle East, Ukraine, the Indo-Pacific region, and throughout the world. 

“Since the horrific October 7 attack, I have stood with President Biden and House Democrats to strongly support Israel and secure the return of the hostages. Our commitment to Israel's security and existence has not wavered, and we remain ready to support serious, bipartisan efforts that honor the special relationship between the United States and Israel. H.R. 7217 is neither serious nor bipartisan, having been crafted solely to sow political division and to block the bipartisan security supplemental negotiated by the Senate and the White House.

“America’s national security interests, and those of our close allies, should not be subject to partisan political games. H.R. 7217 is designed to politicize support for Israel, while denying military aid to Ukraine and humanitarian aid to Ukraine and Gaza. It would undermine the longstanding bipartisan support for Israel in Congress, while harming both America’s and Israel’s national security. 

“Congress must act now to support Israel, surge humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians in Gaza, support Ukraine against Russian aggression, tackle the challenges at the southern border, and strengthen our democratic allies in the Indo-Pacific.”

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