U.S. Senator Katie Britt Votes to End CCP Control of TikTok, Invest in American Defense Capacity, Defend Israel
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 23, 2024 — U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) today released a statement on her vote to pass H.R. 815, the National Security Supplemental Bill:
“This legislation, while imperfect, will make critical strides to reestablish credible American deterrence and move us closer to restoring the peace through strength that President Biden inherited. I am proud that important bills I have cosponsored will be enacted into law through this package, including crucial measures to combat the fentanyl crisis and restrict Iran’s ability to finance further terrorism.
“Today marks 200 days since Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists launched barbaric attacks and committed truly evil atrocities in Israel on October 7. More than six months have passed, and approximately 130 hostages – including American citizens – are still held by Hamas, and Israel continues to fight for her very existence. Just days ago, we even saw Iran launch an unprecedented barrage of drones and missiles against Israel from Iranian territory. Now more than ever, we must stand with Israel and the Jewish people – including here at home. While our Jewish brothers and sisters across Alabama, America, and the world celebrate Passover, we’re seeing a disgusting rise of virulent antisemitism and pro-terrorist sentiment play out on our nation’s city streets and on college campuses. Make no mistake – ‘Never Again’ is now. This legislation will not only crack down on Iran and empower Israel with the tools needed to protect herself, but it will also help synagogues and other houses of worship safeguard their congregations in communities across the United States.
“Importantly, this legislation will also force the sale of TikTok and get the app out of the Chinese Communist Party’s control. As it stands, China is effectively flying a spy balloon in the home of every TikTok user and spreading this digital fentanyl to our young people. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: the CCP knows that if it conquers the minds of our next generation, it conquers America. This legislation accomplishes a generational victory that is integral to defending America’s future.
“Finally, this legislation makes targeted, strategic investments to modernize our own U.S. defense industrial base and domestic manufacturing capacity, including right here in Alabama. These investments are necessary to keep pace with China, as well as to prepare for and deter the threats of the future. Alabama plays a huge role in our national defense, and this legislation will further enhance Alabamians’ contributions to ensuring our warfighters are the best equipped, trained, and resourced in the world. Ultimately, this will help keep American servicemembers safe and our country secure.”
The legislation is comprised of four major components that were passed as individual bills by the House of Representatives but then merged into one bill, H.R. 815, under a rule adopted by the House. This House rule prevented the Senate from considering the measures as separate bills.
Approximately $378 million of the supplemental funding in H.R. 815 will be invested in Alabama to expand production capacity and facilities for missile production. That does not include additional major funding in the package which will be spent in Troy, Anniston, and Huntsville to replenish U.S. missile, munition, and heavy equipment stockpiles.
H.R. 815 also includes three major pieces of legislation cosponsored by Senator Britt: the FEND Off Fentanyl Act, the SHIP Act, and the REPO Act.
The Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence (FEND) Off Fentanyl Act is a bipartisan bill that Senator Britt, as a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, previously helped advance. The legislation is designed to target the flow of deadly fentanyl into the United States by empowering the U.S. Department of the Treasury to target, sanction, and block the financial assets of transnational criminal organizations trafficking fentanyl. In addition, the proceeds from any seized assets would be used to further the efforts of law enforcement. As the Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Britt has led hearings on fentanyl and spoken out against the Biden Administration’s proposed budget cuts to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Earlier this year, Senator Britt participated in a Banking Committee hearing entitled, “Stopping the Flow of Fentanyl: Public Awareness and Legislative Solutions.”
The Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum (SHIP) Act will sanction illicit purchases of Iranian oil and hold the regime’s enablers – including China – accountable. Senator Britt has been a leading voice on the need to squeeze Iran dry financially in order to constrain Tehran’s ability to finance nuclear proliferation and further terrorism against Americans and our allies.
The Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians (REPO) Act will help ensure that Putin and his oligarchs – rather than U.S. taxpayers – foot the bill for the damage caused by Russia’s unprovoked invasion. The REPO Act will effectively confiscate Russian assets that have been frozen in the United States and transfer them to assist in Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts.
More information on the supplemental national security funding included in H.R. 815 can be found here.
Passage of this legislation comes after Senator Britt recently supported improved border security and interior immigration enforcement funding. This included funding for 41,500 ICE detention beds and an additional $300 million in funding above FY 2023 funding levels for the transportation and removal of illegal aliens with final orders of removal. Additionally, Senator Britt supported legislation that provided funding for new ICE officers, 2,000 additional Border Patrol agents, and 150 new CBP officers at ports of entry.
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