Hoyer: Let Us Give the Ukrainians the Loud Voice of the Congress of the United States
WASHINGTON, DC – This morning, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) joined Members of Congress and Ukrainian leaders to deliver remarks at a press conference hosted by Co-Chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Ukraine Caucus Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Congressman Mike Quigley (IL-05), and Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) to kick off the start of Ukrainian Week 2026. Below is a transcript of his remarks:
"Thank you very much, Marcy Kaptur and Mike Quigley, for leading this caucus and raising the banner of freedom that America has stood for over a century; 250 years, to be exact. Madam Ambassador, thank you for your leadership. Thank you for your commitment. Thank you for representing an extraordinarily courageous people; people who have stood in the cold – much colder than this, as Mike Quigley pointed out – who are being attacked every day. The White House yesterday, I heard – not yesterday, but a few days ago, Mr. Witkoff said, ‘We were so appreciative that Mr. Putin has agreed to stop for a week the savagery that he is visiting on the Ukrainian people.’ Of course, he didn't keep that week.
“Ladies and gentlemen who stand before me, people who are watching, Ukrainians, Americans, and those of all nations who are committed to democracy, the Ukrainians have shown courage. The people in that House now need to show courage. We have had over 300 votes every time we have put a bill on the Floor to support Ukraine. Over half of the Republicans on every vote, save one of 12. We now have 214 Democrats who have signed – excuse me, 215 who have signed a petition which will bring to the Floor of that House the Ukrainian Support Act. That's not talk. That's action, which is what we need. You've heard it. We have two Republicans who have signed that, notwithstanding the fact [that] I believe there are hundreds more who say they support Ukraine. At this press conference, I ask one more, one more person to sign a discharge petition that says, ‘Support Ukraine.' Not with words, but with action, with an articulation of support, a commitment of money, a sanction on the aggressor: the criminal Putin.
“So, I am pleased to join all of you in raising high that banner. Talk to everybody in the Congress of the United States who have not signed that petition and say, ‘On this almost fourth anniversary, stand up, speak up, speak out. Sign the discharge petition.’ Let us give the Ukrainians the loud voice of the Congress of the United States [in] supporting their quest for freedom, democracy, and sovereignty. Thank you."