A LETTER TO THE EDITOR FROM U.S. CONGRESSMAN NICK LALOTA
(R-Suffolk County)
I write to you today as both a concerned citizen and a Representative in Congress entrusted with safeguarding our great nation’s interests. In the wake of recent legislative actions regarding national security, I believe it is essential to address the critical measures undertaken and their implications for our country’s future.
The national security supplemental bills my House colleagues and I passed last Saturday represent a significant stride towards fortifying America’s national security and global stability. As a Navy Veteran who has served on three overseas deployments, I understand the urgency of bold action to deter further aggression from adversaries like Iran, Russia, and China. Strengthening our alliances and bolstering our defenses are paramount in ensuring our nation’s safety and sovereignty.
In particular, the House’s amendments to the Senate’s proposal demonstrate our commitment to thorough deliberation and effective policymaking. By introducing separate bills for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan, along with including sanctions on Iran and provisions for a loan to Ukraine supported by President Trump, we have tailored our response to address diverse challenges.
Moreover, recent remarks by former President Trump on Truth Social underscore the importance of European involvement in supporting Ukraine. As he rightly stated on April 18th, “Ukrainian Survival and Strength should be much more important to Europe than us, but also important to us!” With this in mind, the House’s Ukraine bill requires NATO countries to do more of their fair share.
Considering we are a nation with $35 trillion in debt, much has been said about the impact of these spending bills on future generations. And while Washington policymakers, from both sides of the aisle, need to get our nation’s fiscal house in order, these costly bills greatly increase deterrence and thereby decrease the chances that America’s sons and daughters will be called into harm’s way in the Middle East, Asia, or Europe.
Furthermore, it’s noteworthy that 79% of the funding in the Ukraine Security Supplemental will be spent on replenishing old munitions sent to Ukraine with brand-new replacements for U.S. arsenals, investing in the U.S. defense industrial base by purchasing weapons for Ukraine or supporting operations by U.S. forces in Europe. This demonstrates our commitment to not only supporting our allies but also ensuring the readiness of our forces.
My dedication to our nation’s security is deeply rooted, reinforced by my brother’s commendable service as a Marine Corps Sniper who earned a Bronze Star in Iraq. Our family’s commitment underscores the importance of a resolute national defense.
As we move forward, President Biden must demonstrate strong leadership, prioritize support for Israel, demand NATO’s readiness, and uphold our nation’s security. I remain steadfast in my dedication to delivering tangible results and safeguarding our nation’s interests.
