Congresswoman Bush Statement on U.S. Military Funding for Israeli Government
Washington, D.C. (Feb. 6, 2024) — Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) released the following statement ahead of a vote in the House of Representatives to fund over $14 billion on military assistance to the Israeli government, and over $3 billion on U.S. military operations in the Middle East.
“With over 27,000 Palestinians killed, and after the preliminary ruling from the International Court of Justice on potential violations of the Genocide Convention, it is unconscionable for the United States government to spend billions of dollars to continue enabling mass atrocities. I will be voting no on this bill today. Instead of flouting domestic and international law in support of the continued killing of children, hostages, and other innocent people, we should be prioritizing the needs of our communities. That means funding public housing, healthcare, and education — not endless war. And if Congress is actually committed to advancing peace and security in the Middle East, it should pass my Ceasefire Now Resolution.”
According to Al Jazeera, over 27,000 people have been killed in Gaza, including over 11,000 children and 8,000 women. Al Jazeera also reports more than 66,000 people have been injured and over 8,000 are missing.
Congresswoman Bush has remained a steadfast advocate for peace and a lasting ceasefire.
- On October 16, 2023, Congresswoman Bush, alongside Representatives Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), André Carson (IN-07), Summer Lee (PA-12), and Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), introduced the Ceasefire Now Resolution, which urges the Biden Administration to call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Israel and occupied Palestine, to send humanitarian aid and assistance to Gaza, and to save as many lives as possible. Since it’s introduction, the Ceasefire Now Resolution has secured a total of 19 co-sponsors, and over 60 other members of Congress have also come forward to publicly support a ceasefire.
- Over the past four months, Congresswoman Bush has held several press conferences with different groups of people, including veterans, rabbis, doctors and unions, to highlight the breadth of the ceasefire movement.
- Last month, Congresswoman Bush and Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) both expressed support of South Africa’s case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) alleging Israel violated the Genocide Convention, and released a joint statement on the ICJ’s provisional measures ruling.
- On January 12, 2024, Congresswoman Bush released a statement celebrating the St. Louis City’s Board of Aldermen’s unanimous passage of a resolution calling on President Biden to work toward a ceasefire in Gaza.
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