[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 74 (Tuesday, May 2, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S1447]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                                UKRAINE

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, now on entirely different matter, there 
was a remarkable exchange yesterday when a Russian reporter tried to 
put false words in Speaker McCarthy's mouth about alleged Republican 
opposition to helping Ukraine defeat Russian aggression.
  Well, the Speaker put him in his place and shut him down. He reminded 
everyone of his ongoing support of aid to Ukraine and of Republicans' 
commitment to help our friends win. Republicans are the party of 
American strength, at home and abroad. And that includes standing up to 
would-be tyrants who are invading sovereign countries, killing innocent 
people, and putting the core national interests of the United States at 
risk.
  Equipping Ukraine to defend itself is a direct investment in 
America's own national security--our national security. As brave 
Ukrainians degrade the Russian military on the frontlines, a major 
threat to Western security and economic prosperity gets weaker.
  In the meantime, our own defense capabilities are actually getting 
stronger. A large part of the security assistance appropriated for 
Ukraine actually funds the production of new cutting-edge capabilities 
for the U.S. military and supports good-paying jobs for skilled 
American workers right here at home.
  Unfortunately, it is the administration whose policies have been slow 
and halting. Since the beginning of Russia's escalation, the Biden 
administration had lagged several steps behind the pace of relevance in 
delivering decisive aid to Ukraine. Every approval of new assistance 
has required agonizing deliberations and prodding from congressional 
Republicans and Democrats alike. This was the case with the Stinger and 
Javelin systems the Ukrainians needed to drive back Russian convoys and 
Polish fighter jets that stood waiting on the tarmac, with the HIMARS 
and Harpoons and PATRIOT systems they needed to put the invaders on the 
back foot and the Abrams tanks they needed to support a 
counteroffensive and now with the cluster munitions, longer range 
fires, and fourth-generation fighter jets our friends need to actually 
turn the tide. At every single mile marker--every one--the Biden 
administration has dithered--dithered--unnecessarily.
  It is time for the President to get serious about victory and invest 
in American strength.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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