Eliot Engel

Putin undermines our efforts, to a great extent, by lending support to the Assad regime.

Putin continues to hone in on Nagorno-Karabakh, an area that we don't talk about that much anymore.

I would like to commend my colleague from the Commonwealth of Virginia for his attention on Crimea.

Putin has taken advantage of, as well as other bad actors. ISIS, obviously, comes to mind, China building islands in the South China Sea.

I think this administration's withdrawal from America's traditional leadership role has left a power vacuum around the globe.

When Russian soldiers start coming home in body bags, I think that his calculation will be different.

I disagree with the administration's lack of providing weapons to the people of Ukraine.

If we want NATO to continue to be successful and not just worthless, it seems to me Ukraine is where we make our stand.

I just think that we have the most pro-Western government in Ukraine that we could possibly have, and God forbid that government falls.

If we allow Crimea to just be annexed and do nothing about it, don't even talk about it anymore, if we allow Putin to start this nonsense...

I think our lack of bringing them into NATO makes it virtually impossible for them to come into NATO in the future.

I think it was a strategic blunder that NATO did not admit Ukraine--and Georgia, by the way--in 2008.

You and I have long shared deep concerns about Russia's aggression under Vladimir Putin.

If we want to accomplish a different result, we must negotiate from a position of strength.

That does not mean that we should rule out cooperation with Russia.

A big part of the problem is that the administration has repeatedly rushed to try to cooperate with Russia...

Yet, in this environment, Putin continues to escalate.

We could be if we were broadcasting into Russia the way we did during the Reagan administration...

I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the following: Sec. __. None of the funds made…

It is unconscionable that people who see waste, fraud, and abuse, and great unethical behavior, are themselves retaliated against.

We are long overdue to move forward on this bill.

This is perhaps the most significant markup since I have been ranking member of the committee.

Congress needs to continue to be involved and that, if we need to, issue further sanctions.

I opposed the deal. I voted against it. I thought we could have done better.

I really think it is important that the Congress act.