00:00 The general from Connecticut is recognized.
00:02 Mr. Chair, I yield two minutes to the generalwoman from California, the ranking member of the
00:06 State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee, Ms. Lee.
00:10 Generalwoman is recognized for two minutes.
00:11 Thank you very much. I want to thank the distinguished ranking member for yielding and also for her
00:16 tremendous leadership on global peace and security issues in this House. Thank you.
00:23 Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 8035. This bill provides nearly $10 billion
00:29 in economic assistance for Ukraine and surrounding countries with nearly $8 billion in direct
00:35 budget support.
00:36 Now, when I visited Ukraine in 2019, I immediately recognized the love of the Ukrainian people
00:43 for their country and for their democracy. Since the war broke out, I've met with Ukrainians
00:48 in the region. Actually, I was with Speaker Pelosi during that visit, and I met and heard
00:55 firsthand the dire situations that they face amidst Russian aggression. I've talked with
01:01 civil society organizations funded by the United States who, facing danger and violence,
01:06 are supporting refugees, vulnerable people, women, and children. I was deeply moved by
01:12 their stories and their commitment.
01:14 The United States must support these brave Ukrainians in their effort to protect their
01:18 sovereignty because, let's be clear, Putin will not stop until Ukraine's democracy is
01:23 dismantled, and we all know that he will not stop with Ukraine.
01:28 Now, as a ranking member of the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee, I am proud
01:32 that we are also considering other significant investments in United States global leadership
01:37 today, particularly the more than $9 billion in desperately needed humanitarian assistance.
01:43 We're facing historic challenges of hunger, displacement, and conflict across the globe.
01:48 I was recently in Chad, one of the poorest countries in the world. Thousands of refugees
01:53 are fleeing the horrific war in Sudan. They are in dire need of food and just the basics
02:00 to survive.
02:01 These resources will enable the United States to respond to not just the humanitarian needs
02:06 that we read about on the front page, but the quieter conflicts that are destroying
02:10 people's lives, such as in Sudan and Haiti. This is a defining moment in our history.
02:16 I urge my colleagues to respond to the remarkable strength and resilience of the Ukrainian people
02:22 and stand by them by supporting this supplemental bill.
02:25 Thank you and I yield back.
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