Gregory Meeks: “I am proud to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), the former chair of the House…”

“I am proud to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), the former chair of the House Appropriations Committee and the current Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee. Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I am devastated by Hamas' brutal attacks on innocent civilians in Israel, which include taking children, women, and elderly people hostage. I strongly stand by our ally Israel and unequivocally support its right to defend itself. This vicious assault was enabled by Iran, which has publicly praised the attacks. Now more than ever, it is vital that the United States does not walk away from its global commitment to defend democracy. This war is against Hamas; it is not the Palestinian people. Palestinians have also lost communities and loved ones because of Hamas' atrocities. Israel has to end Hamas' role in Gaza, while we work together to minimize harm to civilian populations. Hamas' presence is an assault on humanity, and I want to work with the unity governmental in Israel to create the conditions for peace again. As ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, I am intent on ensuring that we do everything that we can to provide the humanitarian and military assistance that is necessary for Israel to recover from this devastation and continue to defend itself. {time} 1615 Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Burchett), a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.”