Ukraine is the Scrimmage Line for Liberty

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I want to start by making clear that congressional support for Ukraine remains broad and bipartisan. We know, from previous votes on the floor amendments and the standalone bill on Ukraine funding, that assistance to Ukraine has overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress.

While I am especially proud of the work the United States has done and President Biden has done to build a global coalition in support of Ukraine, Congress' inability to pass a Ukraine supplemental is sending a dangerous message to the world that America cannot be relied upon as a partner.

The question for the Speaker now is: When will the House be allowed a vote to continue to support Ukraine?

In these times of crisis, leadership matters. Those of us who continue to stand against Vladimir Putin's aggression, who continue to stand with the brave Ukrainians fighting on the front lines defending their democracy and their people, history will judge us favorably.

How will history judge those who have cynically chosen to use aid to Ukraine as a wedge issue, to play partisan politics with assistance meant to support Ukraine's fight against Russia's aggression?

This is a critical moment for Ukraine and for this body. The administration's top national security officials have made clear that continued support is essential for Ukraine as it continues its fight. We know the consequences if we cannot agree to additional funding for the arms they need to win, to the economic and development assistance that has been critical to Ukraine's livelihood. All of this will be impacted.

I think it is also important we are all working from the same set of facts. In particular, I continue to hear from some of my colleagues who oppose Ukraine funding as they propagate misinformation regarding the management of our assistance.

The administration has instituted robust monitoring for all of the assistance we provide to Ukraine. The State Department, the Defense Department, and our Ukrainian partners are all ensuring this assistance is carefully tracked and accounted for. This misinformation both undermines Ukraine's courageous efforts while benefiting one person, Vladimir Putin.

The world is watching, and what we say in this body and what we are able to pass has consequences. Our allies, including Finland and Sweden, where I recently visited, are proudly joining NATO. They are doing their part. The EU and partners across the globe are increasing commitments to help Ukraine. What signal does it send if the United States of America, the country that has led this coalition, is the first to step back?

It is not only friends who are watching. Our foes are as well. Putin wants us to get tired, to get distracted. The Kremlin is active in supporting anti-Ukraine candidates of any political stripe, and China is strategically hedging its bets. The only person who thought this would be a small, victorious war and a quick war was Vladimir Putin.

There is no simple, predictable end. As long as Ukraine continues to push back Russia's brutal, unprovoked assault, our commitment to Ukraine should stand. If the large bipartisan majority in this House that I know believes in standing there and believes in this commitment, if we stay united with all of our allies, we will prevail.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source