Barbara Lee: “Just let me make a couple of points. First of all, 2023 marked the 76th anniversary of our partnership with Pakistan…”

“Just let me make a couple of points. First of all, 2023 marked the 76th anniversary of our partnership with Pakistan, the fifth largest country in the world by population. Strengthening Pakistan's economy, education system, delivering humanitarian assistance, such as the support we provided for the devastating floods that they faced in 2023--I remember the gentlewoman from Texas, we were in Africa, and she left Africa and went over to Pakistan to help with the response to the devastating humanitarian tragedy that occurred in Pakistan. I wasn't able to go with her. I thank her for her leadership in representing the United States. We must maintain the stability of the country and the region and help prevent the spread of extremism that we see surfacing. It is up to us to provide U.S. aid and assistance to Pakistan for programs that promote peace and security. This is important, just based on our humanitarian concern for people who have been impacted and have to live through such devastation. Mr. Chair, I oppose this amendment.”