Rep. Gallagher dismisses Biden’s Indo-Pacific Supplemental as ineffective in countering China.
The Biden Administration’s Security Supplemental Fails to Address the Threat from Communist China
According to Representative Mike Gallagher, the Biden administration’s recent security supplemental for Israel, Ukraine, and the Indo-Pacific overlooks the significant threat posed by communist China. The proposed 5 billion supplemental request allocates less than four percent of the funds to strengthen military deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, which Rep. Gallagher believes is insufficient.
Speaking to The Epoch Times, Rep. Gallagher stated, “The Indo-Pacific portion was woefully insufficient.” He emphasized the importance of recognizing the deterrence and American presence in the Indo-Pacific region as a top priority, rather than treating it as a joke.
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Rep. Gallagher, who chairs the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), expressed his hope that Congress can rectify the situation. Only approximately $7 billion of the spending package is designated for the Indo-Pacific, with a significant portion allocated to submarine infrastructure and lending programs to counter predatory Chinese initiatives.
However, Rep. Gallagher believes that to effectively counter CCP influence in the region, the United States would need to spend around $10 billion, five times the current allocation. He expressed disappointment with the Biden administration’s decision to combine funding for the Indo-Pacific with other regions, such as Israel, Ukraine, and the southern border.
As a result, Rep. Gallagher anticipates a move in Congress to create separate supplemental requests for each region, allowing for discrete consideration of aid. He stated, “My hope is that we in Congress can do our own supplemental, starting with Israel and the Indo-Pacific, fix that, and then have a parallel but separate track of negotiations when it comes to Ukraine and [the] border.”
Rep. Gallagher is not alone in this desire. House Speaker Mike Johnson has expressed his intention to push for a standalone aid package for Israel. A key concern for Rep. Gallagher is the CCP’s infiltration of Pacific islands and its broader efforts to expand its influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
To address this issue, Rep. Gallagher recently met privately with Solomon Islands MP Peter Kenilorea Jr. They discussed the importance of robust U.S. engagement with the region, as the CCP continues to infiltrate the Solomon Islands and spread pro-communist sentiment. Rep. Gallagher agreed with Mr. Kenilorea’s assessment, highlighting the increasing frequency of CCP’s attempts to infiltrate and steal data and intellectual property worldwide.
He emphasized the need for proactive engagement, stating, “What we’re seeing happen [in the Solomon Islands] is a microcosm of the broader spread of [China’s] malign influence throughout the region, but it’s not confined to the Indo-Pacific. It’s now global and affects various multilateral institutions. Even here in the United States, we’re seeing it play out in the form of United Front work, intellectual property theft, and so all the more reason why we need to stay forward engaged.”
Why does Rep. Gallagher argue that a mere $7 billion allocation is insufficient to address the threat posed by communist China in the Indo-Pacific?
In the Indo-Pacific, the United States must focus on strengthening military deterrence and presence in the region. He argues that a mere $7 billion allocation is not enough to address the magnitude of the threat posed by communist China.
Communist China has increasingly shown its aggressive behavior in the region, including territorial disputes in the South China Sea and military provocations near Taiwan. The Biden administration’s security supplemental fails to adequately address these concerns and prioritize the security of U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific.
Rep. Gallagher stresses the need for a comprehensive and robust response to counter CCP influence. He urges Congress to reconsider the allocation of funds and recognize the significance of the Indo-Pacific in terms of national security and geopolitical stability.
The security of the Indo-Pacific region directly impacts the interests and security of the United States. It is crucial for the Biden administration to acknowledge this reality and allocate sufficient resources to strengthen deterrence against communist China. Neglecting this threat could have severe consequences for regional stability and the United States’ strategic position.
Rep. Gallagher’s concerns are valid and supported by various experts and analysts who have warned about the growing influence of communist China in the Indo-Pacific. The United States cannot afford to underestimate the gravity of this threat and must take necessary measures to protect its interests and those of its allies.
In addition to military deterrence, it is essential for the United States to enhance diplomatic efforts and engage in partnerships and alliances within the region to counter CCP influence effectively. By working together with like-minded nations, the United States can build stronger defenses against communist China’s expansionist ambitions.
The Biden administration should reevaluate its security supplemental and place greater emphasis on countering the threat from communist China in the Indo-Pacific. Allocating less than four percent of the funds to this region undermines the seriousness of the challenge and fails to adequately address the risks associated with communist China’s actions.
It is time for the United States to reassess its strategic priorities and recognize the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to address the threat from communist China. By doing so, the Biden administration can demonstrate its commitment to protecting U.S. interests, maintaining regional stability, and upholding democratic values in the Indo-Pacific.
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