Chairwoman Lee Joins Speaker Pelosi, Colleagues on Congressional Delegation to Poland
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, concluded a Congressional delegation to Poland and Ukraine joined by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Rules Committee Chair Jim McGovern, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Gregory Meeks, House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff, House Foreign Affairs and House Armed Services Committee member Congressman Bill Keating, and House Armed Services Committee member Congressman Jason Crow. The lawmakers held a series of meetings with Polish partners to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to supporting Ukraine in the war against Russia and President Vladimir Putin.
As Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, Congresswoman Lee oversees all security, economic and humanitarian aid the United States allocates abroad, including all aid thus far to Ukraine and neighboring countries to address the catastrophic human rights crisis still unfolding due to Putin’s invasion.
Engagements included a meeting with USAID to hear firsthand about the U.S. and Polish efforts to assist Ukrainian refugees forced to flee their homes; a visit to thank the courageous men and woman of the 82nd Airborne Division stationed in Poland; and meetings with President Andrzej Duda and senior government officials.
“This past weekend, I had the distinct honor of traveling throughout Poland and meeting with our Polish allies, who have been invaluable in the fight against Russian aggression. My deepest gratitude goes out to the Polish government and Polish people for welcoming Ukrainian refugees and serving as vital partners in the defense of Ukrainian freedom.
“As Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, I recognize the crucial need to provide robust humanitarian, economic and security assistance to Ukraine. We met with NGO’s and civil society organizations funded by the United States who, in the midst of danger and violence, are supporting refugees, vulnerable people, women and children. I was deeply moved by their stories and will continue working with President Biden and my colleagues to deliver the necessary support immediately. We must provide support for the United Nations agencies, for our Treasury Department, for all agencies within our federal government that are moving forward to support the Ukrainian people amid Putin’s devastating bloodbath.
“This is a defining moment in history. The world has a choice: stand together and strengthen democratic principles worldwide, or fall backwards into authoritarianism. We cannot let our progress backslide. By intensifying our efforts with our allies in Ukraine and Poland, strengthening our partnerships, and further targeting our resources, we can ensure democracy prevails over dictatorship.
“I thank Speaker Pelosi for her tremendous leadership and courage for bringing this delegation together, and on behalf of the U.S., I thank the Ukrainian people for their remarkable strength and resilience. We stand with you.”
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Congresswoman Lee is a member of the House Appropriations Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations. She serves as Co-Chair of the Steering & Policy Committee, former Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Chair Emeritus of the Progressive Caucus, Co-Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Health Task Force, and Co-Chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus. She also serves as Chair of the Majority Leader’s Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity. As a member of the House Democratic Leadership, she is the highest ranking Black woman in the U.S. Congress.