Hoyer Urges Speaker to Bring the House Back if the Senate Takes Action to Defend Democracy in Ukraine and Israel

WASHINGTON, DC — This morning, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) sent a letter to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (LA-04) urging him to reconvene the House next week if the Senate successfully passes legislation providing supplemental aid to Ukraine and Israel. Congressman Hoyer implored the Speaker to call Members back to the Capitol within 72 hours of Senate passage. The letter was sent the morning after House Members returned to their districts for the holiday season without securing additional vital resources to support Israel in its war against Hamas terrorists in Gaza and Ukraine in its war against Vladimir Putin's Russian regime.

“I cannot overstate the urgency of this issue,” Congressman Hoyer wrote in his letter. “Ukraine needs our help to attain victory in their fight against Putin. Israel depends on our support in their mission to defeat Hamas and to ensure that the devastating terrorist attacks we saw on October 7 never occur again. Our inaction signals to our friends and foes alike that America’s commitment to defending democracy is wavering. Sadly, many of our Republican colleagues’ recent comments have reinforced that dangerous perception of uncertainty.”

To read the full letter, click here or see below:

Dear Mr. Speaker:

As Members return to their districts for the holidays and the people of Ukraine and Israel continue to wait anxiously for supplemental aid, I write to urge you to call the House back within 72 hours of the Senate passing legislation to provide additional assistance to our allies. We ought to have secured these vital resources for our allies months ago. There is no cause that demands the attention of this Congress more than the preservation of democracy, freedom, and our national defense.

I cannot overstate the urgency of this issue. Ukraine needs our help to attain victory in their fight against Putin. Israel depends on our support in their mission to defeat Hamas and to ensure that the devastating terrorist attacks we saw on October 7 never occur again. Our inaction signals to our friends and foes alike that America’s commitment to defending democracy is wavering. Sadly, many of our Republican colleagues’ recent comments have reinforced that dangerous perception of uncertainty.

Although the House failed to act before its Members departed yesterday, it appears that the Senate may advance compromise legislation that supports our allies and helps address our broken immigration system when it returns for votes next week. Yesterday, Leader Schumer said: “no matter what, Members should be aware that we will vote on a supplemental proposal next week.” The House already missed one opportunity to do our part for the defense of democracy. We must not do so again by failing to reconvene if the Senate sends us a bill.

For months, an overwhelming bipartisan majority in the House has demonstrated its eagerness to stand up for our allies. It is not too late to give us the opportunity to act on this consensus. We must if we are to stay the course to victory in Ukraine and Israel.

Each week we wait, winter grows colder in Ukraine. Each day we sit on our hands, American and Israeli hostages in Gaza become more fearful that they have been forgotten – as do their families. Each hour we idle, our allies sacrifice more lives in their fight against tyranny and terrorism. Each minute we fail to act, America’s reputation as the world’s greatest defender of freedom and democracy decays.

Thank you for listening to my perspective on this matter, and I hope you will work with us to send a united, unambiguous message of America’s resolve to our allies, our adversaries, and the whole world.

Sincerely,