Stability and Democracy for Ukraine Act

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill. Let me, first of all, thank our chairman, Ed Royce, for helping advance this bill. I introduced this bill in April along with the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kinzinger). I am proud to say we now have 36 additional cosponsors, both Democrats and Republicans.

Mr. Speaker, we shouldn't kid ourselves about the intentions of Russia's President, Vladimir Putin. Inside his own borders, he has stripped away the rights of Russia's citizens. He has silenced a free and open press. He has stolen countless billions and spread the wealth around to his cronies. And in the wake of a sham election that boosted his party's majority, it is being reported that he wants to breathe new life into the KGB.

His record abroad is more of the same. He has trampled his neighbors' sovereignty, worked to undermine NATO and Western unity, and posed a real threat to America's work and the work of our friends over the past seven decades to build a Europe that is whole, free, and at peace.

Perhaps most egregious is Russia's ongoing illegal occupation of Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine. Russia recently renewed its attack on Ukraine's sovereignty by holding parliamentary elections for the duma in Crimea. It is just outrageous, as the chairman mentioned. The United States will never recognize these claims, just as we never recognized Soviet control of the Baltic States during the 50-year occupation there.

My legislation underscores America's support for Ukraine's right to defend itself, and it keeps pressure on Russia so long as Russia's criminal behavior in Ukraine continues. This bill says that if Russia wants to see sanctions relief, it must abide by its Minsk Agreement obligations, namely, if Ukraine controls the entirety of its eastern border. It makes Crimea-related sanctions permanent so long as the Russian occupation there continues. It tightens sanctions enforcement with the new anti-evasion framework, and it requires reporting on banks illegally controlling Ukrainian assets, particularly Russian banks in Crimea.

This bill also takes steps to make it harder for Russia to buy defense equipment or services from our NATO allies. It goes after human rights abusers in Russian-occupied areas, and it calls for a comprehensive strategy from our own government to push back against Russian propaganda. The people of Ukraine need to know the United States stands with them. This Government of Ukraine is the most pro- Western government they have ever had. We need to help them. Vladimir Putin needs to know that his reckless ambition won't go unanswered.

The gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell) had to leave, but he submitted testimony. He strongly supports this bill and everything that the chairman and I are saying this evening. I ask that all Members support this bill.

Let me say before I close that Mr. Sanford was absolutely right in what he just said. The fact is that Ukraine, which was part of the Soviet Union, gave up its nuclear weapons when the Soviet Union collapsed. As a result, they were given assurances that they would not have aggression perpetrated against them; and, of course, like other promises made by Mr. Putin, that fell by the wayside. I agree with the gentleman from South Carolina. I think he is absolutely right on the money. I thank him for his remarks.

Mr. Speaker, we have no shortage of crises smoldering around the world, but we cannot take our eye off what is happening in Ukraine and the threat that Russia poses. NATO is being tested. Western democracy is being called into question. The progress we have made since the cold war is at risk.

Even if the administration is trying to work with Russia on other issues, we need to be clear-eyed when Vladimir Putin flouts international law and threatens the security of Europe. This bill would say plainly that no matter what happens in other parts of the world, if Russia continues to illegally occupy parts of Ukraine, Russia will pay a price.

I am pleased that the House is acting on my bill. I want to again thank Chairman Royce for being a partner with me and helping with this bill. I ask that all Members support it.

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