Republican ad attacks Sherrill for voting against GOP amendment to U.S. Capitol defense bill

A conservative issues advocacy non-profit launched an ad attacking Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) for her opposition to a Republican move on a bill providing additional funding to federal agencies and Congress to respond to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

The 30-second spot from the American Action Network, a 501(c)(4) with ties to House Republican leadership, attempted to tie Sherrill’s vote to opposition to funding Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system.

Script: The iron dome, a defense system intercepting rockets and protecting the citizens of Israel. It save innocent lives as Israel faces terrorist hellfire. But when Congress had the chance to increase funding for Iron Dome, Mikie Sherrill voted against it. Shamefully, she voted no, even as terrorist rockets rained down in Israeli cities. Tell Congresswoman Sherrill her vote was wrong. America supports a safe and secure Israel.

Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) made a motion to recommit the bill that was opposed by every Democrat in the chamber save Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), who did not vote.

Democrats have pushed back on a bid by national Republicans to criticize the vote, saying the matter to beef up security at the U.S. Capitol was aimed at sending the measure back to committee.

The bill provided $231 million for the Army National Guard response, $218.5 million for Army National Guard operations and maintenance, $42.5 million for the Air Force National Guard, $37.5 million for additional Capitol Police salaries, and $41.8 million on general expenses for the police.

The ad appears to mix up timing on the latest conflict in Gaza. A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that followed days of fighting and bombardment that killed at least 248 Palestinians and 12 people in Israel had already gone into effect by the time the vote was taken shortly before noon last Friday. Reports say the ceasefire has held since going into effect Thursday evening.

The bill, which made a $1.9 billion appropriation for repairs, security upgrades, prosecutions related to the Jan. 6 attack, in addition to creating a quick reaction force in the D.C. National Guard and reimbursed costs related to the attack, passed 213-212. Every Republican voted against it save two, who did not vote.

Three Democrats voted no, and three others voted present.

Sherrill represents one of New Jersey’s competitive House districts. She took the seat after Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-Harding) retired in 2018, defeating Assemblyman Jay Webber by a little under 15 points. She won re-election against a challenge by lobbyist Rosemary Becchi by a narrower 6.5-point margin last year.