Washington, D.C. ­– Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) today released the following statement after the House Committee On Foreign Affairs passed her Maritime Architecture and Response to International Terrorism in the Middle East (MARITIME) Act (H.R. 2973). This bipartisan legislation would require the Department of Defense to develop a strategy with partners and allies in the Middle East to counter maritime threats posed by Iran and violent extremists like Hamas and Hezbollah.

“12 days ago, Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists launched a full-scale attack on our closest ally in the Middle East. They came by land, air, and sea to brutally murder innocent civilians and anyone who stood in their way,” said Rodgers. “Today, my colleagues on the Foreign Affairs Committee responded to these acts of unspeakable evil by passing my bipartisan bill to strengthen the security cooperation between Israel, the United States, and the Abraham Accords countries to make sure we never let something like this happen again. I look forward to quickly moving this legislation through the full House of Representatives.”

The passage of this legislation out of committee comes at a crucial time, as Israel continues to be attacked by Hamas terrorists. In just the last 12 days, more than 1,400 innocent Israelis and at least 30 Americans have been murdered, with hundreds more taken hostage in Gaza. Iran’s material and financial role in this violence underscores the need to develop a comprehensive maritime security strategy between the United States and partners in the region to defend against these shared threats.

The MARITIME Act will now need to be voted on by the full House of Representatives.

CLICK HERE to read the bill.

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