[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 20, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H1240]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                WE ARE SLEEPING WHILE UKRAINE IS BURNING

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, time is wasting. Time is running out. We are 
sleeping while Ukraine is burning, the victim of an international 
criminal.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today, as I have too many times before, just 72 
hours before Members return to their districts for weeks despite 
failing to secure aid for our allies in Ukraine and Israel. The men and 
women of Ukraine on the front lines will not sleep for those 2 weeks.
  This past weekend, Vladimir Putin reminded the world that he isn't 
going anywhere. He celebrated ``victory'' in Russia's Presidential 
election, imposing his power until at least 2030.
  Mr. Speaker, Putin knew that there was only one possible outcome of 
that election. He would like the world to think that Russian victory in 
Ukraine is inevitable as well.
  Every day, however, Mr. Speaker, the brave men and women of Ukraine 
prove him wrong. Our NATO allies, who continue to supply Ukraine with 
vital military assistance, prove him wrong.
  Now, this House, this week, in the next 72 hours, needs to stand up 
and give Ukraine the aid they desperately need. We must reject 
aggression and terror.
  For 447 days, we have signaled reluctance over resolve, doubt over 
determination, and division over decisiveness. We have emboldened 
freedom's enemies while leaving its protectors defenseless. How sad for 
America to be in that position. How sad for the leadership of this 
House to leave us in that position.
  We have failed to aid Ukraine in 447 days and Israel in 165.
  Mr. Speaker, 2 weeks back in our districts may feel short for us, but 
that will be a very long time for our Ukrainian friends. They already 
must contend with the consequences of our inaction.
  Thus far, Ukrainian air defenses have tried to shoot down four of 
every five Russian missiles fired at their cities. Hear that: four out 
of every five. Now, because of our negligence, because of our 
reluctance and ammunition shortages, they will soon be able to target 
only one in every five.
  In Bakhmut, a Ukrainian artillery squad explained they are only 
shooting an average of 15 shells a week. My colleagues, they are 
shooting 15 shells a week to confront the Russian bear. Before American 
aid dried up, they were shooting 400 shells per week.
  One Ukrainian soldier, shivering in his foxhole on the northern front 
line, recently said that because of these shortages: We are losing so 
many people. There are so many bodies we can't even bring them back.
  How demoralizing is the inaction of this Congress. How irresponsible 
is the lack of action of this Congress to watch the Russian invader 
receive aid from North Korea, Iran, China, and the rest of the axis of 
evil while we fail to act. Have we lost our courage, our commitment to 
freedom?
  Putin is a Russian invader who massacres civilians in Bucha, a 
dictator whose greatest political opponent is found dead in a Russian 
gulag, and a tyrant who forces occupied Ukrainians to vote at gunpoint 
in an election with but one choice: Vladimir Putin.
  Putin wants this House to think his victory is inevitable because he 
knows that his victory is impossible if America stands with Ukraine.

                              {time}  1015

  Let us stand with Ukraine, not in 2 weeks but today. Let us stand 
with Israel in its effort to defeat Hamas and recover the 134 remaining 
hostages in Gaza.
  Speaker Johnson says he is looking for a path forward to work with 
the Democrats on Ukraine and Israel.
  Take it today. We will work with you in that path.
  Mr. Speaker, the path has been clear for quite some time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman's time has expired.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, we should not shut people up who are trying 
to defend freedom across this world.
  Let us stop sleeping in this Congress.
  Over 300 Members of this body have consistently voted to aid Ukraine. 
Even more wish to aid Israel.
  Put the national security bill that received 70 votes in the Senate 
on the floor.
  Give us a vote.

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