Kaine Statement on Passage of National Security Supplemental
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees, released the following statement after passage of a national security supplemental funding package:
“I’m glad we passed provisions to bolster our national security and support our allies—including through the Australia-U.K.-U.S. agreement to sell Virginia-built submarines to Australia. But I’m outraged that now for the third time, Republicans have killed a bipartisan proposal that would have provided much needed resources to secure our border and tackle the fentanyl crisis over petty partisan politics. Thousands of Virginia families lost a loved one to fentanyl overdose deaths last year. This crisis demands solutions, not political stunts. I stand ready to work with anyone willing to actually solve the problems at the border—not use it as a political tool.”
Kaine has advocated for many provisions that are included in the supplemental package:
Helping Ukraine Defend Itself: Provides funding for the transfer of weapons and equipment to Ukraine, replenishment of Department of Defense (DOD) stockpiles, military and intelligence support, and economic and civilian security assistance.
Australia-U.S.-U.K. (AUKUS) Partnership: Provides support, which Kaine has called for, to strengthen implementation of the AUKUS agreement, in which Australia will purchase Virginia-class submarines and invest in the U.S. submarine industrial base. Maintains the readiness of the Navy’s fleet by providing funding to improve the Navy’s four public shipyards, including Norfolk Naval Shipyard; supports the Submarine Industrial Base to increase production rates and submarine availability; and invests in the submarine industrial base workforce.
Kaine has led efforts to ensure the AUKUS agreement is implemented effectively. Because a significant portion of Virginia-class submarines are built in Hampton Roads, this agreement creates opportunity for further job creation and economic growth in the region. In July, Kaine hosted Australian Ambassador to the United States Dr. Kevin Rudd and U.S. Under Secretary of the Navy Erik Raven in Hampton Roads to discuss the importance of the AUKUS agreement and tour Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding division and Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Kaine secured provisions to implement and strengthen AUKUS in the Senate-passed national defense bill and the SFRC-passed State Department authorization bill.
Israeli Security: Includes funding for Israel’s defense needs, such as resources to replenish Israel’s air and missile defense systems, including the Iron Dome, and resources to enhance U.S. embassy security.
Kaine has taken a series of steps to prioritize the release of hostages taken by Hamas, including directly engaging the Qatari and Egyptian governments, and to counter Hamas’ terrorist threats.
Humanitarian Assistance for Gaza and Ukraine: Includes funding for humanitarian aid for innocent civilians impacted by the war in Ukraine; the violence in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank; and other natural disasters and emergencies around the world.
Kaine led his colleagues in calling for a cessation of violence in order to ensure humanitarian assistance is reaching civilians in Gaza, and has been vocal about the need to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and protect civilians in Gaza and the West Bank.
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