[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 34 (Monday, February 26, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S979]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                          Supplemental Funding

  Madam President, on a different topic, just before our recent recess, 
the Senate overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan aid package, notably to 
help Ukraine defend itself against Russia.
  Ukraine has fought a heroic, historic, significant battle to defend 
its independence and democracy, thwarting a full-scale Russian invasion 
2 years ago and showing the world how you stand up to a bully like 
Vladimir Putin. In fact, its resistance to Russia has major security 
impacts and benefits for our larger Western security.
  But as everyone in Congress knows, Ukraine urgently needs more 
weapons and assistance, and needs it now. Our European allies approved 
their aid earlier this month, but despite European and U.S. Senate 
support, many almost unbelievable events have occurred over the past 
few weeks that endanger Ukrainians' chance of success and global 
security.
  Closest to home, the House of Representatives has remained passive, 
detached, and silent for the past 2 weeks on the Senate-passed national 
security supplemental bill, with its leadership subservient to Donald 
Trump, who in turn is just enamored--a real bromance--with Vladimir 
Putin.
  Last week, true to form, former President Trump went so far as to 
even say he would encourage Russia to attack fellow NATO members. Can 
you imagine anyone responsibly making that suggestion? I can't.
  Furthermore, on the global stage, public reports have suggested that 
Putin is thinking of putting some kind of nuclear weapon in space. For 
all those who want to embrace Putin as part of our future, look at the 
reality of the situation in Ukraine and in outer space.
  Amidst all of this, Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny died in 
a Russian gulag prison just before a sham election in which Putin is 
afraid of any real competition. In response to this tragedy, Trump sank 
to a new low, shamefully comparing Navalny's death to his own self-
inflicted legal problems.
  Is there anyone who doesn't see that Putin is gloating at this 
perceived impunity and relishing in his congressional apologists?
  Why in the world would we play into Donald Trump's delusions? Why 
would Trump-beholden Republicans fawn over Putin, a wanted war criminal 
responsible for kidnapping--kidnapping--20,000 Ukrainian children and 
taking them into Russia--a stunning number that is likely to go higher?
  Or imagine the scene shared by my colleague from Hawaii, that of 
Ukrainian soldiers on the frontlines checking their phones to see 
whether House Republicans passed our Ukraine aid package. They were 
watching our votes on the floor of the U.S. Senate while they were 
risking their lives in the battle against Putin. These soldiers are 
fighting with their lives for democracy and security in Europe, while 
House Republicans do nothing.
  It is time for the House Republicans to pass this urgently needed aid 
package without further delay.
  (The remarks of Mr. Durbin pertaining to the introduction of S. 3804 
are printed in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills 
and Joint Resolutions.'')
  Mr. DURBIN. I yield the floor.
  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. CASEY. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Butler). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.