Barbara Lee: “Russia's brutal and unprovoked attack on Ukraine is not just a threat to Ukraine, as I said earlier, and its neighbors…”

“Russia's brutal and unprovoked attack on Ukraine is not just a threat to Ukraine, as I said earlier, and its neighbors but also to the world. If Russia succeeds in its aggression, other provoked attacks are inevitable. Drawdown of existing equipment has proven to be the fastest and most efficient way to get defensive weapons--mind you, defensive weapons--to Ukraine. We must continue to ensure Ukraine has the military equipment and materiel it needs to defend itself. This materiel is determined by the Department of Defense not to be needed domestically, and supplying it to Ukraine will not endanger U.S. readiness. The stakes could not be higher. Russia will not stop with Ukraine if the resolve of the world is not clear. Remember, this is the most efficient way to get defensive weapons to Ukraine. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.”