McCaul on Importance of Defeating Russia

Washington, D.C. - House Foreign Affairs Committee Lead Republican Michael McCaul released the following statement on the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act that passed the House with large bipartisan support yesterday. The legislation will get much-needed lethal weapons into the hands of the brave Ukrainians, as well as refill U.S. defense stocks.

"Vladimir Putin's horrific war crimes - including the rape, torture, and murder of innocent women and children - are further evidence that the U.S. and our allies have a moral obligation to help our democratic partner Ukraine. In addition, Russia's invasion is creating both an energy crisis and a food crisis, driving up costs here at home. It's critical Ukraine gets the resources it needs to win this war and expel every last invading Russian troop.

"I am glad this bill also includes strong congressional oversight and safeguards to ensure every dollar is spent effectively, but I'm frustrated more security assistance wasn't sent before Putin's invasion, as I repeatedly urged the president to do. If President Biden hadn't projected weakness for months as Putin built up troops and weapons on the Ukraine border, the war might have been averted and this money would potentially not have been necessary."

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