Madeleine Dean: “Mere hours after this House finally passed critical security aid for our democratic allies, I found myself on a train in…”

“Mere hours after this House finally passed critical security aid for our democratic allies, I found myself on a train in the countryside of war-torn Ukraine. Along with a bipartisan group of colleagues, we were the first four Members of Congress to celebrate our bicameral accomplishment with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He shared with us that the world watched that vote, and he shared his gratitude, the gratitude of a President, of an army, and of a nation. We were grounded by this victory and clear-eyed about victories yet to come. Ukraine must defeat Putin's illegal, barbaric assault on democracy. Our aid package will bolster their fight, providing training, equipment, and weapons to Ukraine, as well as replenishing our own U.S. weapons stock. While abroad, we met with the Ukrainian military and our own 82nd Airborne Division. They told us they feel the weight of this struggle. They feel a sense of purpose, a sense of history, and their role in it. By passing aid to Ukraine, Madam Speaker, we fulfill our American obligation to lead and meet our obligation to protect the health, safety, and security of democracies worldwide. ____________________”