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Thursday, November 21, 2024

Rep. Rogers urges halt to costly logistics operation off Gaza coast

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U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers representing Alabama's 3rd Congressional District | Official U.S. House headshot

U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers representing Alabama's 3rd Congressional District | Official U.S. House headshot

U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, has sent a letter to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging the Biden administration to cease the Joint Logistics Over the Shore (JLOTS) operation off the coast of Gaza.

In his letter, Chairman Rogers stated, "Three and a half months since the President’s announcement of a maritime corridor for Gaza and at least $230 million wasted, the operation has been riddled with setbacks, sidelined more often than operational, and can only be classified as a gross waste of taxpayer dollars."

Rogers further emphasized his concerns by writing, "I urge the Administration to immediately cease this failed operation before further catastrophe occurs and consider alternative means of land and air-based humanitarian aid delivery."

The full text of the letter is included below:

Dear Mr. Sullivan, Secretary Austin, and Secretary Blinken:

The House Armed Services Committee has closely monitored the U.S-assisted delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza, particularly the Joint Logistics Over the Shore (JLOTS) concept. Three and a half months since the President’s announcement of a maritime corridor for Gaza and at least $230 million wasted, the operation has been riddled with setbacks, sidelined more often than operational, and can only be classified as a gross waste of taxpayer dollars.

To underscore my level of concern, the House of Representatives unanimously passed two amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act to prohibit funding for the operation of JLOTS off the coast of Gaza or deployment of servicemembers for such an operation.

JLOTS is diverting military personnel and assets from primary missions in the highly contested Central Command area where over one hundred fifty attacks on U.S. servicemembers have occurred since October 7th. Worse still, on May 23rd three U.S. servicemembers sustained non-combat injuries supporting JLOTS; one is reported to be in critical condition. This non-combat incident underscores both risk and complexity inherent in JLOTS.

Over its first three weeks in action JLOTS moved about ten trucks per day from pier into Gaza—a small fraction compared to its estimated capacity for 150 trucks daily. As recently as June 19th JLOTS had operated only ten days total moving just 3,415 metric tons onto Gazan beaches—an amount deemed negligible by Global Health Policy Center at Center for Strategic International Studies.

I urge immediate cessation before any further catastrophe while considering alternative methods like land/air-based aid deliveries instead.

Armed Services Committee maintains oversight jurisdiction over Department Of Defense generally under Rule X clause 1 Rules House Representatives (House Rules). Moreover it derives authority conduct oversight among other things clause 2(b)(1) Rule X relating general oversight responsibilities clause 3(b) Rule X special oversight functions clause 1(b) rule XI investigations studies.

I look forward prompt reply.

Sincerely,

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