McMorris Rodgers Supports Foreign Aid Package as House Passes Legislation To Crack Down on TikTok, Data Brokers

Washington, D.C. – Today, Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) helped pass three pieces of legislation to provide critical military and humanitarian assistance to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan. After the vote, she released the following statement:

“The United States of America has a moral obligation to lead with clarity on the world stage, not only when it’s convenient, but when it’s difficult. This emergency aid package will provide our allies around the globe — Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan — with the military and humanitarian assistance they need to confront evil and prevail in their fight for freedom and self determination,” said Rodgers. “Peace through strength comes at a cost, and it’s one our nation has always been willing to pay. American leadership matters, which is why we continued that honorable tradition today and sent a clear message to our adversaries in the process: America is not backing down.”

Additionally, Cathy joined her colleagues in passing a fourth piece of legislation called the 21st Century Peace through Strength Act, which includes two bills she championed to crack down on TikTok (H.R. 7521) and data brokers (H.R. 7520) in the United States. Upon passage, she released the following joint statement with Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ).

“These bills are the result of diligent and bipartisan work to protect Americans’ data and address the serious national security threat posed by our adversaries,” said Rodgers and Pallone. “Today’s vote is a clear victory for protecting Americans online and off, but there is still work to be done. Companies and bad actors are collecting troves of our data unchecked and using it to exploit, monetize, and manipulate Americans of all ages. This cannot be allowed to continue, which is why today’s actions are an important step forward as the Energy and Commerce Committee continues to work together on other tech accountability measures.”

The 21st Century Peace through Strength Act includes:

• H.R. 7520, the Protecting Americans’ Data from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024, which makes it illegal for data brokers to sell personally identifiable data of Americans to North Korea, China, Russia, Iran, or entities controlled by any of these countries. 
• H.R. 7521, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act
• The REPO Act, which seizes and transfers an estimated $5 billion of Russian sovereign assets in the United States to Ukraine.
• The FEND Off Fentanyl Act, which implements sanctions on transnational criminal organizations and members of drug cartels engaged in international fentanyl trafficking, and cracks down on fentanyl related money laundering.
• More than 10 additional measures to sanction and hold Iran accountable.

CLICK HERE to read the 21st Century Peace through Strength Act.

CLICK HERE for a summary of the bill.

Altogether, the three foreign aid bills passed by the House total more than $95 billion in security assistance for America’s allies in their time of need. Specifically, the legislation would provide:

• $26 billion to support Israel in its effort to defend itself against Iran and its proxies by replenishing Iron Dome and David’s Sling missile defense systems, supporting the Iron Beam defense system to counter short-range rockets and mortar threats, as well as enhancing the production, development, and replenishment of artillery and critical munitions. This bill prohibits funds to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

• $60 billion to address the conflict in Ukraine and assist our regional partners as they counter Russia by replenishing and supplying additional advanced weapons systems, defense articles, and defense services. This bill also supports continued oversight and accountability of aid and equipment provided to Ukraine.

• $8 billion to continue efforts to counter communist China and ensure a strong deterrence in the region by supporting Taiwan and other key allies and security partners in the Indo-Pacific confronting Chinese aggression, while also strengthening U.S. military capabilities in the region.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the three supplemental appropriations bills.

NOTE: These four bills will now advance to the United States Senate where they are expected to be considered as one package. If passed, the package – which includes Cathy’s H.R. 7520 and legislation to force the sale of TikTok – would go to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.

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