[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 1, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H1179-H1180]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TIME TO IMPOSE HARSHEST SANCTIONS ON RUSSIA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Quigley) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker, I have had the privilege of representing 
Ukrainian Village in Chicago for over 10 years. In that time, we have 
become friends.
  From my friends, I have learned about the beauty of Ukrainian 
history, culture, and the courage and strength of the Ukrainian people. 
In the past days, the whole world has seen that strength and courage.
  Ukraine has bravely beaten back the onslaught of premeditated 
invasion by an evil autocratic leader. In response, there has been an 
outpouring of support from the entire world.
  But I rise today, Madam Speaker, because our thoughts and prayers are 
not enough. Of course, those expressions of support matter. They 
hearten a resistance that is outgunned and outnumbered, and they tell 
the Kremlin that the world is watching. But when you are at war, you 
need more than just thoughts and prayers.
  The people of Ukraine need us to use every tool at our disposal to 
help them repel Russia's invading forces. I know many Americans want 
our country to stay out of this conflict. We have endured 2 years of a 
pandemic that has taken thousands of lives and stretched pocketbooks to 
their breaking point. No one wants a conflict that could make our lives 
even more difficult.
  I understand the desire to hunker down and wait for it to go away, 
but the message is this: You can turn off your TV and try to ignore the 
crisis, but that will not stop it from having an impact on you. While 
it may seem like the battlefields are a world away, the repercussions 
of this fight are on our doorstep.
  The reality is that this conflict will worsen supply chain issues and 
increase inflationary pressures. And anyone who believes that Putin 
will not turn his attention to the rest of the world is badly mistaken. 
Indeed, he already has. He is already responsible for massive 
cyberattacks against the United States, and he interfered in two of our 
elections.
  Let's remember, two generations of Americans fought for a new world 
order in which democracy prevailed over autocracy. For more than six 
decades, that victory has held. Now, it is threatened by Vladimir 
Putin.
  We must ensure that the sacrifices of our forebears were not in vain. 
Surely, other autocrats with desires to carve out expanded borders at 
the expense of sovereign democracies are watching the extent of Western 
resolve.
  Ukrainian President Zelensky has begged the West for military aid. 
The U.S. must hear these pleas.
  Thankfully, the response has begun. President Biden recently 
authorized an additional $350 million defense aid package for Ukraine, 
bringing the total commitment of U.S. security assistance to $1 billion 
this year alone. And NATO has begun to send weapons and equipment for 
the first time in history.
  The European Union is shipping arms to Ukraine. Germany is supplying 
antitank weapons and missiles. Belgium, Poland, the Netherlands, and 
others have joined.
  While we are inspired by the Ukrainian military's ability to hold 
firm, they need more help to keep the Russian onslaught at bay.
  As co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, I have spent months 
calling for harsh sanctions against Russia, in addition to military aid 
for Ukraine. I am relieved to see many of these sanctions being 
imposed.
  President Biden has led a historic response in which the West has 
presented a united front on behalf of Ukraine. Every wave of sanctions 
has come from a coalition of states: halting Nord Stream 2, imposing 
sanctions on Putin and his allies, and kicking a number of Russian 
banks out of the SWIFT system.
  These are all important steps. Yet, more needs to be done.
  I know some of our allies are hesitant to impose economic penalties 
that may harm the Russian people. Indeed, the Russian people are not 
the enemy. Like the Ukrainians, they have been dragged into this war 
through no choice of their own. Unfortunately, it is clear that Putin 
will not truly feel the consequences of his actions unless sanctions 
impact the entire nation of

[[Page H1180]]

Russia. It is time to impose the harshest sanctions available.
  Some leaders have said that we should wait to impose more. My 
question to them is: If not now, when?
  Ukrainians are dying in defense of their country. As we speak, their 
capital is surrounded by Russian forces; 500,000 Ukrainians have 
already fled their homes; soldiers have died; civilians have been 
killed; children have been murdered. The time for action is now.
  Madam Speaker, I have visited Ukraine many times. I have seen the 
beauty of their fields, the blue of their sky. I have shaken hands with 
their people, heard their praise of democracy, and stood next to their 
leaders. The Ukrainian spirit I saw this weekend in rallies in Chicago 
is the same Ukrainian spirit I saw in Kyiv when I visited shortly after 
the Maidan.

  Just 2 years ago, I met with the mayor of Kyiv right here in this 
building. We shared stories about the cities we represent, Chicago and 
Kyiv, sister cities. I promised during that meeting that the U.S. would 
always stand with Ukraine. We must live up to that promise.
  Until we do, ``Glory to Ukraine,'' ``Slava Ukraini.''

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