On the recordApril 20, 2024
We meet in an extraordinary, extraordinary session here on a Saturday, and we do so because Iran has fired missiles over our very ships intended to land on our ally Israel. We meet here on a Saturday because Russia has invaded Ukraine and continues an aggression that will not stop there, but we also meet here in order to provide a protection and a preventative funding to our allies in the Indo-Pacific. Included in those allies in this amendment must be the Philippines. Only days ago, the President of the Philippines and the Prime Minister of Japan met with our President in a trilateral meeting for the first time in, literally I believe, history. They did so to talk about many things, including the joint agreement for defense that includes Japan and the U.S. both participating in the Philippines in their defense on their soil by their invitation. That is how grave the threat from China is and how nothing will do a better job of preventing yet a third major area of conflict than peace through strength. Madam Speaker, I urge support for this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I claim the time in opposition, although I am not opposed to the amendment. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentlewoman from Connecticut is recognized for 5 minutes. There was no objection. Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott).
