Chairwoman Lee Supports Ukrainian Emergency Supplemental Funding Bill on House Floor
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, voted in favor of H.R. 7591, a bipartisan supplemental to provide than $40 billion in emergency funding to support the Ukrainian people and defend global democracy in the wake of Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine. The bill passed on a vote of 368 to 57.
Congresswoman Lee’s remarks can be found here.
“Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this Emergency Supplemental to support Ukraine and deal with the global impacts of Russia’s brutal invasion. I thank Chair DeLauro and the Speaker for moving this legislation so quickly.
“A little more than a week ago, I had the honor of visiting Eastern Europe to meet with Ukrainians and Poles to hear about the situation first-hand. We met with 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 their commitment.
“The Ukrainian people need our support to defend their territory. But we equally need to support their efforts to protect their people, their economy, their way of life.
“As Chair of the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee, I am proud that we provide $18.9 billion in assistance for economic, security, and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine in this bill.
“This bill will help sustain the Ukrainian government’s essential services, protect refugees and displaced persons, clear unexploded ordnance, and combat human trafficking. It funds getting our diplomats back to Kyiv so they can continue working for a just resolution of this war that protects the people and dignity of Ukraine. And it contains precious resources to deal with the global food crisis that has been deepened by the Russian invasion.
“This is a defining moment in history. I urge my colleagues to respond to the remarkable strength and resilience of the Ukrainian people and stand with them by supporting this supplemental bill. Thank you, and I yield back.”