[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 81 (Thursday, May 12, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S2466]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                Ukraine

  Madam President, on Ukraine, in the immediate future, Republicans 
need to work with Democrats to pass another round of critical emergency 
funding for the people of Ukraine. We have a moral obligation to act 
and to act swiftly.
  The House already passed a Ukraine package with overwhelming 
bipartisan support. It should be no different here in the Senate. Both 
of our caucuses heard loud and clear from the Ukrainian Ambassador 
earlier this week that time is of the essence.
  I urge my Republican colleagues to work with Democrats to get a 
funding package done as soon as possible--ASAP. Republicans shouldn't 
block this bill. There is no reason--no reason whatsoever--not to get 
Ukraine funding approved fast.
  I also call on my colleagues to swiftly pass additional legislation 
to arm the Federal Government with the tools needed to liquidate assets 
seized from Russian oligarchs--yachts, mansions, private jets, art 
collections, and more. It should be a no-brainer to provide the tools 
necessary to go after crooked Russian oligarchs, but, nevertheless, 
House Republicans bewilderingly opposed adding these tools in the House 
package. The Senate should do better. Both parties should work quickly 
and decisively to get this done through regular order. This issue can 
certainly be--it should certainly be--a bipartisan issue.
  As the war in Ukraine enters its third bloody month, we must leave no 
stone unturned in making Putin and his cronies pay a price and in 
helping the Ukrainian people. Their fight against Russian aggression is 
a struggle between democracy and authoritarianism itself, so there 
should be no question--no question--about which side America stands on.
  Again, I urge my Republican colleagues not to block this legislation 
but to work with us to quickly get this passed through the Chamber. 
Everyone can have their own idea, but if everyone has their own idea, 
we will get nothing done. We have to come together on a bill that has 
gotten broad bipartisan support in the House and in the Senate.