Ted Budd: “I rise today to voice my strong opinion to Senator Sanders' attempt to cut off U.S. military support to our friend and…”

“I rise today to voice my strong opinion to Senator Sanders' attempt to cut off U.S. military support to our friend and ally Israel. I don't dare denigrate my colleague's intent here or the motives, but I believe the effect is reckless and I believe it is dangerous and I believe it will lead to the loss of even more lives. We need to remember some basic facts about the difference between the two sides of the conflict here. Israel is Middle East's only democracy. They have been a force for stability in the region that is historically beset by chaos. They have been America's strongest friend in good times and bad. Israel is an unmistakable force for good. And then you have the terrorists of Hamas. I mean, even their founding charter calls for the destruction of the State of Israel. Hamas's largest benefactor, Iran, lends its materiel and financial support to this cause each and every day. They intentionally target civilians. They target civilians, and they fire rockets into crowded markets, and they preach not just death to Israel and to the Jewish people but death to America. And then came October 7. On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists launched an unprovoked and deceitful series of terrorist attacks inside Israel. The level of barbarism that we witnessed was nothing short of evil incarnate--the mass slaughter of innocent civilians; unmistakable and unspeakable violence against women, children, and the elderly.…”