On the recordFebruary 13, 2024
Madam Speaker, as a member of the House Subcommittee on National Security, the Border and Foreign Affairs, I rise in strong support of emergency aid for our Democratic ally and partner and for the people of Ukraine, now entering the third year of their fight for freedom and democracy in the face of the brutal invasion launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2022. This morning, the United States Senate passed a bipartisan foreign aid package that included vital Ukraine assistance by a wide vote of 70-29. In stark contrast to this bipartisan effort, the House Republican leadership continues to fall in line behind former President Trump, refusing to act swiftly on Ukraine funding on purely partisan political grounds. Regrettably, Speaker Johnson has already dismissed the Senate bill as a status quo measure. Madam Speaker, this is a missed opportunity. Members of this House should have the right to vote on a package of Ukraine funding, Israel funding, and greater security funding for our southern border. On the issue of Ukraine funding in particular, this political impasse comes at the great expense of U.S. national security, international peace, and the freedom of the Ukrainian people. It also follows repeated warnings from the Biden administration that the failure to enact additional aid will kneecap Ukraine on the battlefield. It will allow Putin, an autocratic dictator, to prevail and simply pave the way for a Russian military victory.…





