[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 32 (Thursday, February 17, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S799-S800]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUPPORTING AN INDEPENDENT AND DEMOCRATIC UKRAINE AGAINST ANY FURTHER
RUSSIAN MILITARY INVASION
Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 519, submitted earlier today.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 519) supporting an independent and
democratic Ukraine against any further Russian military
invasion, and for other purposes.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
Mr. PORTMAN. Madam President, I rise today with Senator Jeanne
Shaheen to request that the Ukraine resolution introduced by us, along
with Senators Risch, Menendez, Cornyn, and Durbin be passed by
unanimous consent.
This is a dangerous time in the world, especially for our ally,
Ukraine. There are over 150,000 Russian troops poised on their border,
an overwhelming force that could invade at a moment's notice.
This resolution is very simple and straightforward; it makes it clear
that for 30 years Ukraine has been an independent and sovereign
country. It commends the bravery of the Ukrainian people and their
desire to integrate with the West, to align themselves with democratic
values and freedom and continue to move away from the autocratic rule
of Russia.
It also acknowledges the over 14,000 Ukrainians who have been killed
since 2014 in fighting against Russian backed separatists.
It details the ongoing illegal Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Most importantly, this resolution reaffirms our unwavering support to
Ukraine and the importance of our NATO alliance and our transatlantic
partnerships.
This is simply a strong, bipartisan show of support to our ally
Ukraine as they face a threat and danger not of their making.
I now yield the floor to my friend, Senator Shaheen from New
Hampshire.
Mr. SCHUMER. I know of no further debate on the resolution.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there further debate?
Hearing no further debate, the question is on agreeing to the
resolution.
The resolution (S. Res. 519) was agreed to.
Mr. SCHUMER. I ask unanimous consent that the preamble be agreed to,
and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the
table with no intervening action or debate.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The preamble was agreed to.
(The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in today's Record
under ``Submitted Resolutions.'')
[[Page S800]]
Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, just a word, this was a very
significant resolution that we passed. It was led by Senator Shaheen
and Portman and sends a very strong message to Mr. Putin that the U.S.
Senate, Democrats and Republicans of all different ideologies, are
united in defending Ukraine in the ways that the administration sees
fit.
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