Ukraine is the Scrimmage Line for Liberty
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. GARAMENDI. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend, Marcy, for her leadership.
Madam Speaker, I have listened to this debate, and as it has gone on, I am becoming more and more depressed that we do not have the courage to continue to support Ukraine. Why? What is going on here?
I want us just to think for a moment about the blood that has been spilled by the Ukrainians trying to protect their democracy. For more than almost 2 years now, they have fought every way to protect themselves. The women and children and men of Ukraine are dying, and we are sitting here doing nothing.
This is a disgrace. There is no other way to describe it. Holding Ukraine hostage for an unnecessary change in the asylum laws is absolutely wrong. Yes, we do need to deal with immigration, but at what price to Ukraine, at what price to the women, the children, the incoming missiles from Russia?
Putin is having a glorious day, and we are a disgrace. There is no other way to describe that the most powerful Nation in the world is unwilling to stand up to continue to support Ukraine in its hour of need. Who are we that we are unwilling to do this? Did anybody in this House actually read H.R. 2, the asylum legislation? Eighty percent of it is downright foolish.
Is there a compromise available? Absolutely. Who is working on it in this House? Show me one Member of this House that is working on a compromise on that. I don't know who they are.
Speaker Johnson, where are you? Where are you hiding? Where is your leadership? Ukraine is at risk. Think about it. It will be 1\1/2\ months before any legislation will pass this House. If, in fact, we get our act together over the holidays, what will happen? The Ukrainian Government depends upon the American money to pay the police, the firemen, the first responders. They won't have that money and the military, the flow of equipment, the flow of ammunition, it will diminish.
How do they get started? How are they going to replenish? It is time for us to stand. It is time for us to act. We have 1\1/2\ days to do it. Can we do it? You are damn right we can do it; if we find the courage to do it. If we find the very same courage that President Zelenskyy has exhibited over the last 2 years and, more importantly, the men and women of Ukraine that are fighting a desperate fight for their own future.
I wonder if we have the courage. I know I have to stand down. I know the people of Ukraine will never stand down. The question is whether we will stand with them.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source