[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 63 (Monday, April 17, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H1738-H1739]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1730
CONDEMNING RECENT ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE RUSSIAN MILITARY TO DOWN A
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE DRONE
Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 240) condemning recent actions taken by the Russian
military to down a United States Air Force drone, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 240
Whereas United States European Command released footage
confirming that 2 Russian Su-27 fighter jets acted
unprofessionally and in a reckless manner when intercepting
and downing a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone on March 14, 2023;
Whereas a United States Air Force drone was acting safely
and responsibly in international airspace and in accordance
with international law; and
Whereas the 2 fighter jets released fuel and bumped into
the drone, resulting in the drone crash-landing in the Black
Sea: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) condemns the reckless actions of the Russian military;
and
(2) reaffirms the United States will not be deterred from
operating U.S. drones in international airspace in the Black
Sea region due to Russia's reckless behavior.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Mast) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.
General Leave
Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to
include extraneous material on this measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Florida?
There was no objection.
Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 240 to condemn Russia's
blatantly hostile actions last month downing a United States Air Force
drone, downing one of our United States military aircraft.
Think about the seriousness of that.
On March 14, while flying in international airspace over the Black
Sea, a U.S. Air Force Reaper drone was attacked by two Russian fighter
jets. Yes, it was attacked. The two jets flew in front of it, and at
one point, even dumped fuel onto the drone. Eventually, one of the
Russian jets hit the drone's propeller and sent it crashing into the
Black Sea.
Let's talk about what this really was.
Was this an American aircraft?
Yes, it was.
Was this an American aircraft flying in international airspace?
Yes, it was.
Was this an American aircraft flying in international airspace that
was taken down as a result of Russian pilots' purposeful actions?
Yes, it was.
There is no version of the world in which this can be deemed
acceptable. Unless that's in Joe Biden's world, apparently.
Let's compare and contrast the response of the Kremlin to the
response of the White House on this attack.
Vladimir Putin rewarded the two fighter pilots with medals for a job
well done. Think about that.
President Biden ordered altered flight patterns to avoid future
conflicts with Russia.
That is the difference between the two responses.
We are having a lot of conversations about America being violated by
foreign adversaries, the last bill and now this one.
The Kremlin sent a clear message about what took place, that this
type of behavior, they deemed it commendable. They have pinned medals
on the chests of their fighter pilots. They rewarded them.
The White House sent a clear signal that they are going to be bullied
and they are going to be backing away. They responded with weakness and
compromised our intelligence operations by moving us further from what
we wanted to observe, when we were just debating a bill about China
surveying us over our own territory with their balloon.
These are the differences in what is going on in the world right now.
By altering flight patterns and sending drones in the Black Sea
further to the south, the Biden administration has degraded our ability
to collect intelligence on Russian forces in the region. To put it
simply, Putin lashed out, and very unfortunately, Biden backed down,
and now America is less safe.
Vladimir Putin does not get a veto over U.S. operations of military
operations in international airspace or sovereign Ukrainian airspace.
Yet, President Biden seems determined to give him one.
This is just the next domino to fall, in my opinion.
How would the President respond if China took similar action against
our aircraft in the South China Sea or in Taiwan?
President Biden is telegraphing to our adversaries that the U.S. will
back down in the face of the slightest provocation. He is giving
Vladimir Putin the validation that he needs: that he can simply
threaten escalation in order to intimidate others into backing down. He
draws no red lines.
This resolution condemns Russia's attack. It reaffirms that the U.S.
will not be intimidated--something that we have to reaffirm in this
body given what is going on--certainly not when it comes to operating
drones in international airspace.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this, and
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution,
and I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, Putin's Russia has abandoned the international systems
that help countries interact and help build good faith and greater
security. As someone who believes in the power of diplomacy and
dialogue as a path to peace, the state of today's Russia is tragic and
testing the international community's resolve, but I am so thankful
that President Biden is indeed more responsible than Mr. Putin.
It is that kind of responsibility that is truly important and that we
make sure that we are utilizing diplomacy along with our allies
together, not America alone, not America by itself, but America and its
friends. That is restraint.
I can recall if you have a red line, it is easy to draw a line, but
the person that is most reserved steps back and if someone truly
crosses that line, the United States is ready.
That Russia ignores the rules and standards is really not new. It is
not surprising, but it has become more consequential and detrimental.
We have
[[Page H1739]]
seen Russia's ill-advised and criminal behavior in Ukraine. That is why
the United States under President Biden's leadership has created the
strong bond with our NATO and European allies and others all across the
world.
Again, when I think of March 14 and the Russian pilots' decision to
release jet fuel upon an American surveillance drone and clip the
aircraft, it indeed was a reckless move that caused the drone to crash
into the Black Sea. It was an unprofessional and dangerous maneuver,
and it marked the first time since the Cold War that Russia has downed
a U.S. aircraft.
This incident added to the already heightened tensions between the
United States and Russia as Vladimir Putin continues his war of
aggression in Ukraine. While our pilots and military work carefully to
avoid such incidents--again, prudence, responsibility--I don't want to
be like Vladimir Putin or the Russians. I don't want to imitate them,
but Russia is about to play with fire.
Thankfully, we have a professional military that knows the power of
restraint. This resolution rightfully condemns the March 14 incident
and will let them know that we are watching, and we will not be silent
about it, especially here in the United States Congress.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to support this
resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Williams), the author of this resolution, and a submarine
driver, who colleagues affectionately refer to as ``bubbleheads.''
Mr. WILLIAMS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I am equally honored to stand
here with the gentleman and fellow veteran, Mr. Mast, as well as my New
York colleague, Mr. Meeks.
Mr. Speaker, America has always stood up to bullies. I am a veteran
of the Cold War. For half a century, our Nation stood against the
tyranny of the Soviet Union.
I volunteered to serve in the Navy, making six strategic deterrent
patrols in the Pacific aboard a nuclear submarine.
The mission was clear: to project strength, to stand ready to defend
our Nation and our allies, and to deter the aggression of our enemies.
Today, we are reminded what happens if American leaders fail in that
mission. The Russian military, emboldened by their invasion of Ukraine,
making veiled threats of nuclear escalation, suppressing the voices
even of their own people, they have deliberately provoked this Nation--
you and me.
On March 14, 2023, one of our MQ-9 Reaper drones, flying safely in
international airspace and in accordance with international law, was
attacked by two Russian Su-27 fighter jets.
These lawless pilots dumped their fuel, hitting our aircraft in mid-
flight, forcing an American reconnaissance asset to ditch in
international waters.
I remain shocked not only at the unprofessional and reckless nature
of the Russian pilots, but also of the Russian Government's accolades
and awards that it heaped upon them.
Mr. Speaker, I am reminded from my naval service that the only thing
necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing.
That is exactly why I have proposed H. Res. 240, a resolution
condemning the reckless actions of the Russian military resulting in a
loss of a U.S. aircraft.
The resolution is simple. It recognizes the events that took place,
highlighted by the declassified video from European Command. It
resolves that the House of Representatives condemns the Russian
military's actions and reaffirms that the United States will not be
deterred from operating our drones in the Black Sea. This resolution
speaks not for a single political ideology but on behalf of all
Americans who desire peace.
I would take a moment to thank Representative Costa, who has joined
me in this bipartisan effort of standing up to tyranny and the direct
act of aggression against our military.
At this time of escalating tensions around the world, we must speak
out against brazen provocation. Today, the world can see that Americans
across the political spectrum speak with one voice in condemnation of
this act.
By standing together here on the floor of the House of
Representatives, we project strength by standing together, we reassure
our allies that we are committed to defend ourselves and our friends,
and together, we will ensure the peace through deterrence in unity.
Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for
the purpose of closing.
Mr. Speaker, let me thank Congressman Williams for this resolution,
along with Mr. Costa, again working in a strong, bipartisan way.
Congressman Williams' resolution appropriately condemns Russia's
irresponsible and provocative downing of a U.S. surveillance drone over
the Black Sea. It lets Russia and the entire world know that the United
States House of Representatives stands strongly together in condemning
the actions of the pilot that downed the U.S. surveillance drone.
It says unequivocally that the United States of America will stand
and stand together and work together with our friends and allies
against the provocative and, I believe, criminal actions of Vladimir
Putin.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the remainder of my time.
In closing, I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Williams) for
introducing this important resolution. I believe that this Chamber has
to stand firmly against Russian aggression. I believe very firmly that
the United States of America has to have big, giant, brass stones. If
our aggressors show us that they have bigger brass stones than what we
do, then we will not be the leader of the free world.
I very much fear what is taking place right now. I will just say it
like that. I very much fear what is taking place and is allowed to take
place in this world.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this resolution, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mast) that the House suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 240, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
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