Washington, DC – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement following the filing of his discharge petition for H.R. 2913, the Ukraine Support Act. The bill offers strong sanctions and addresses significant issues in the Senate’s sanctions legislation, while also including support for Ukraine assistance and reconstruction.
“Every day this administration hesitates to apply real pressure on Russia and fails to support Ukraine is another day Ukrainian soldiers don't get the tools they need to shoot down Russian missiles and drones targeting civilian infrastructure like hospitals, schools and power plants. While I welcome that President Trump is starting to wake up to what everyone else has long known – that Vladimir Putin cannot be trusted and is committed to Russia’s war in Ukraine – he has given Putin months to dodge, delay, and deflect on negotiations, escape accountability, and commit more war crimes with impunity.
“If the administration refuses to do what is necessary to bring this war to an end, Congress must take action by supporting Ukraine to put it in the strongest possible negotiating position and cracking down on Russia’s ability to fund its war machine. Leader Thune and Speaker Johnson have had months to act on at least one of those requirements and impose real costs on Russia. Since the Majority Leader and the Speaker have refused to act, I have filed a discharge petition for my bill – the Ukraine Support Act – to put Ukraine in the best possible position to succeed. This bill is filled with provisions that enjoyed overwhelming bipartisan support in the last Congress – provisions that not only impose severe costs on Russia but also provide Ukraine with the support it needs to win on the battlefield and at the negotiating table. While I applaud existing legislative efforts to hold Russia accountable, my legislation is tougher on Russia, does more for Ukraine, and deals more effectively with our allies than any existing bill on the subject.
“I stand ready to work with anyone – Republican or Democrat – who wants to get serious about doing what must be done.”