[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 14, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H588]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1030
                          FUNDING FOR UKRAINE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Rhode Island (Mr. Magaziner) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MAGAZINER. Madam Speaker, the time has come for the Speaker of 
the House,   Mike Johnson, to make a decision.
  Madam Speaker, 2 years ago, the Russian Army, at the direction of 
Vladimir Putin, invaded Ukraine, a peaceful Nation, a democratic 
Nation, an ally of the United States.
  Putin's missiles rained down on schools and hospitals. His bullets 
took the lives of children and the elderly.
  This is not the first time Vladimir Putin has invaded another 
country, slaughtering thousands of innocent people for no purpose other 
than his own selfish ambition. If he is allowed to succeed in Ukraine, 
he will not stop there.
  We must continue to support Ukraine, not only because it is the right 
thing to do, but because if the United States abandons Ukraine, we 
endanger our own national security.
  After the attacks on this country on September 11, more than 50 
nations, including Ukraine and all of our NATO allies, came to 
America's defense in the war on terror.
  The strength of our military is multiplied by the strength of our 
alliances, and if we turn our backs on our ally, we weaken ourselves.
  This week, the Senate passed a bill that will give Ukraine the 
supplies and ammunition it needs to win the war.
  Now, the decision and the fate of millions rests with just one man, 
the Speaker of the House,   Mike Johnson. We know what will happen if 
Speaker   Mike Johnson calls a vote on Ukraine funding.
  The bill will pass the House by an overwhelming margin. This is 
undisputed. It will pass the House by an overwhelming margin, and then 
the President will sign it.
  American factories and workers will produce the ammunition and 
supplies the Ukrainians desperately need. Once again, America's 
industrial might will arm the cause of freedom, as we have so many 
times before.
  When the Ukrainians receive that ammunition and those supplies, they 
will continue to use them to great effect and fight bravely as they 
have for the last 2 years.
  We know all of this will happen if Speaker Johnson allows us to vote 
on the bill. If we do not vote on the bill, if Ukraine falls and 
millions of people have their freedom violently ripped away from them, 
and the light of democracy in the world glows a little less bright, and 
Vladimir Putin turns his menacing gaze to the democracies of Europe, 
and dictators around the world rejoice that the United States has 
retreated from its position of global leadership, it will be because 
one man, just one man, Speaker   Mike Johnson, had the power to call a 
vote and didn't.
  Madam Speaker, 77 years ago a young veteran named John F. Kennedy 
entered this Chamber for the first time as a newly elected Member of 
the House of Representatives.
  In his book ``Profiles in Courage,'' Kennedy predicted: `` . . . in 
the days ahead, only the very courageous will be able to take the hard 
and unpopular decisions necessary for our survival in the struggle with 
a powerful enemy . . . ''
  Now is the time for courage. History is watching. The cause of 
freedom and the hopes of millions are on the line. What will   Mike 
Johnson do?


                  Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Funding

  Mr. MAGAZINER. Madam Speaker, we have a moral duty to help survivors 
of violent crime by ensuring that they have access to the care and 
support they need. That is why I rise today in support of robust 
funding for the Victims of Crime Act, also known as VOCA.
  VOCA is one of the most important sources of funding for victims of 
crime and particularly survivors of sexual assault.
  VOCA funds rape crisis centers, emergency shelters, mental health 
services, and forensic labs to process DNA casework and help law 
enforcement bring criminals to justice.
  During my time as Rhode Island's general treasurer, I managed our 
State's crime victims compensation fund, which is funded, in part, by 
VOCA.
  During those years, we helped thousands of Rhode Islanders recovering 
from violent incidents with healthcare, counseling, reimbursements for 
lost wages, and other expenses.
  I am particularly proud that we helped more than 300 survivors of 
domestic violence relocate to new housing away from their abusers, no 
doubt saving lives in the process.
  All of this was made possible by VOCA funding. Without VOCA, a 
survivor of domestic abuse may be turned away from emergency care and 
shelter because there aren't enough beds. These are necessary services.
  As Congress prepares to consider the FY24 appropriations bills in 
just a few weeks, we must fully fund VOCA at the administration's 
recommended levels.
  I urge my colleagues to stand with survivors, stand with children, 
and support robust funding for VOCA.

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