Wendy Sherman: “I rise in support of H.R. 4919, in order to assist the committee. This bill is an annual authorization for certain…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 4919, in order to assist the committee. This bill is an annual authorization for certain activities related to the U.S. assistance for national defense of our friends and allies overseas. The bill authorizes the President to transfer obsolete U.S. ships to friendly countries either through grants or sale/lease arrangements to support their legitimate defense needs. These ships have reached or exceeded their service life and would cost considerable amount for the U.S. to refurbish them or scrap them. Transferring most of these ships will serve our foreign policy interests. The bill authorized transfer of obsolete U.S. defense equipment and other articles to the stockpiles of South Korea and Israel. These transfers directly support the U.S. plans for the defense of Korea as well as increasing the capacity and readiness of the South Korean and Israeli forces to defend themselves. I stand in support of H.R. 4919.”