Political Quotes

“I salute Marcy Kaptur and the Ukrainian Caucus for inviting Members to come together to raise concerns, to speak frankly about the need for strong sanctions on Russia, and to insist that any peace must be just, durable, and centered on the Ukrainian people themselves. Mr. Speaker, for nearly 4 years, the people of Ukraine have stood on the front lines for freedom, defending their democracy, their sovereignty, and their right to live in peace on their own land. In fighting for democracy, they are fighting democracy writ large. Congresswoman Kaptur spoke beautifully, historically, geographically, and chronologically in every way about placing this conflict in time and place. I want to pick up on two parts of it in the time that I have. In the conversation about peace, we hear people talk about Ukraine giving up land. What we are saying to Ukraine is that Russia came in, stole their children, as Congresswoman Kaptur mentioned, tens of thousands of their children. They took them into Russia. Mr. Speaker, imagine if that ever happened to your family. Secondly, they raped the women. They raped the women. Sometimes they did it in front of the children and sometimes in front of their parents. I said to some Russian friends: Isn't it sad how the Russian troops have become brutes and are raping women as a weapon of war to demoralize the people of the country? They said: Make sure you understand one thing. Russian soldiers follow orders.”