RELEASE: Problem Solver Gottheimer Helps Pass Critical Bipartisan Security and Humanitarian Aid Package for U.S. Allies — Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Saturday, April 20, 2024, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair helped pass a $95 billion security aid package to provide critical security and humanitarian aid for America’s key democratic allies, Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The package, which includes eight Gottheimer-led bills, all passed with bipartisan support.

“After working closely with Democrats and Republicans, I’m proud to have helped get this critical legislation done. The House has passed a strong, bipartisan package to support and equip our key democratic allies, Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, against the new Axis of Evil — Russia, Iran, and China, our most dangerous adversaries. It also includes key humanitarian aid for Palestinians being used by Hamas terrorists as human shields in Gaza,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “I was glad to have eight bills included in this package to protect our nation and hold our greatest enemies accountable.”

Eight Gottheimer-led provisions in the 21st Century Peace Through Security Act (H.R. 8038) include:

• Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act — forces TikTok’s CCP-controlled owner to sell the application or be banned from the American market. An earlier version of Gottheimer’s bill passed the House with broad bipartisan support.
• The Iran-China Energy Sanctions Act — targets the Chinese financial institutions purchasing Iranian oil and requires the Treasury Department to make annual sanctions determinations for Chinese banks.
• Hamas and Other Palestinian Terrorist Groups International Financing Prevention Act — imposes sanctions on foreign persons, agencies, and governments that assist Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), or their affiliates.
• FEND off Fentanyl Act — imposes more severe, longer-lasting sanctions on those involved in fentanyl trafficking.
• SHIP Act — imposes sanctions on refineries that process Iranian oil in violation of U.S. sanctions, slashing the Iranian regime’s profits from oil sales.
• MAHSA Act — imposes sanctions on the leaders of the Iranian regime for their repeated human rights abuses and state sponsorship of terrorism.
• REPO Act — allows the President to confiscate Russian assets that have been frozen in the United States and transfer them to assist in Ukraine’s reconstruction.
• Strengthening Tools to Counter the Use of Human Shields Act — enhances sanctions enforcement and implementation against terrorist organizations that use innocent civilians as human shields.

The bipartisan aid package includes:

• $60.84 billion for Ukraine to support and equip Ukraine’s military, replenish U.S. stocks of equipment sent to Ukraine, fund the U.S.’s European Command Operation, and shore up Ukraine’s economy, including its energy sector.
• $26.38 billion for Israel to replenish Israel’s missile defense systems, the Iron Dome and David’s Sling, support additional resources to aid in Israel’s defense, and assist with broader peacekeeping and counterrorism operations across the Middle East. 
  • The bill makes $9.2 billion in global humanitarian assistance available for food, medicine, and other life-saving supplies.
  • Finally, it provides $400 million for the Nonprofit Security Grant program to safeguard houses of worship against terror attacks amid rising levels of hatred.
• $8.12 billion for Taiwan to fund submarine infrastructure, finance critical projects to confront Chinese aggression, and strengthen U.S. military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.

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