Hoyer: Failure to Support our Allies Sends a Dangerous Message to the World About our Commitment to Freedom, Democracy, and International Law
WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) delivered the following remarks on the House Floor tonight during a bipartisan Special Order Hour, hosted by Rep. Marcy Kaptur, Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus. In his speech, Congressman Hoyer urged Speaker Johnson to pass immediate and unconditional aid for our allies Ukraine and Israel. Below is the transcript of his remarks and a link to the video:
Click here for a link to the video.
“I thank the Gentlelady for yielding. I thank her for taking this Special Order, I thank her for the extraordinary work she has put in over the years. Mr. Speaker, Madam Speaker – President Zelenskyy, a brave leader of a determined people defending their democracy and international law, warned us today that the resources we sent his people in their fight for freedom have run out.
“Two legislative days remain to deliver urgent aid to Ukraine and to Israel. If we leave town on Thursday, we will have to wait a month — a month until we get another opportunity. Our allies cannot afford the wait. Neither can we. Our failure sends a dangerous message to the world about our commitment to freedom, democracy, and international law.
“Each week — reluctance over resolve.
“Each day — doubt over determination.
“Each hour — division over decisiveness.
“Each minute — [contention] over conviction.
“Our allies watch in dismay — our adversaries in delight — as the beacon of democracy that is America dims in the face of the gathering storm. Instead, we must ensure that ‘Freedom's Holy Light’ continues to be bright. Winston Churchill understood that. Volodymyr Zelenskyy understands that. Most Members understand that. There is also an overwhelming consensus to support Israel and its imperative mission to defeat Hamas and ensure the devastating attacks of October 7th never occur again.
“If we do not pay the price of freedom with money and materiel now, then we may well pay it with American blood and lives later.
“We ought to be thankful that we have that choice. Our allies do not. Mr. Speaker, I just read a story about a Ukrainian deminer who lost his leg while clearing Russian mines in September [2022]. He is now out doing the same thing on his prosthetic leg. He risked life and limb and he volunteered to do so again. The sacrifice this Congress must make pales in comparison. Mr. Speaker, I think of the mother in Western Ukraine I just read about, lost two sons. The burden we must bear does not compare to theirs.
“A significant majority of this House remains, as has been said by Republicans and Democrats, united in our determination to see Ukraine prevail. We came here not as Democrats or as Republicans, but as people who recognize this threat for what it exists — an existential one.
“We are the majority in this House. Until the Speaker gives us clean vote, however, we cannot act on this consensus. Madam Speaker, the Speaker introduced a bill in the 115th Congress [that] said, ‘One subject per bill.’ Mr. Speaker, follow that premise that you asked us to support. I urge the Speaker not to allow an important but unrelated goal to prevent us from doing what is necessary to achieve a victory for our own national security and the security of the free world.
“Politics should stop at the water's edge because this sort of partisanship emboldens the enemies of freedom to set their sights on our own shores. Rather than sending the despots and dictators of the world a signal of retreat, let's send them a clear and unambiguous message — we will not shrink from this challenge. Our [inaction] is not worthy of the land of the free and the home of the brave. America is better than that, and I yield back the balance of my time.”