Hoyer Statement on President Biden's Oval Office Address 

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement tonight following President Joe Biden's Oval Office address where he spoke regarding the ongoing wars in Israel and Ukraine: 

“I agree with what President Biden made clear tonight: the wars we see in Israel and Ukraine are part of an existential struggle between fascism and freedom, despotism and democracy, might and right. The decisions Congress makes in the coming weeks will determine democracy's fate for decades. If sovereignty, democracy, and international law are to endure – and endure they must – we need to protect those principles not only in America but also where they are most threatened. Today, that is Ukraine and Israel.

“We face a new axis of evil today. The dictators, despots, and dealers of destruction leading Russia, North Korea, Iran, and Iranian proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah stand together in their assault on democracy. They are watching whether the free world – and this Congress – will unite to defend it.

“If we do not stay the course to victory in Ukraine and Israel, we will embolden the enemies of freedom to set their sights on the rest of the free world – from our NATO allies to our own shores. As President Biden made clear, 'we are at an inflection point.' For the sake of our national security and the security of all those who cherish freedom, Congress must secure additional aid for our allies and stay the course until victory is won.

“We must ensure that Ukraine receives the military materiel necessary to repel Vladimir Putin's criminal invasion and recover all its territory. We also have a duty to help Israel maintain its qualitative military edge as it works to defeat Hamas permanently. As Israel carries out that effort, America must see to it that humanitarian aid reaches innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza. It is also crucial that we continue to speak out against all forms of antisemitism and Islamophobia during this traumatic time.

“Democrats and Republicans have come together to support our allies many times in the past. We must do so again now. With one voice, Congress needs to send a definitive message to all those who wish democracy ill: America must do all it takes to defend its democratic values whenever and wherever they are threatened.”