news

WASHINGTON, DC—Congressman Paul D. Tonko delivered a fiery one minute on the floor last night strongly condemning Republican gamesmanship that has withheld needed aid for Ukraine:

Tonko’s forceful floor remarks can be viewed HERE and read below:

M. Speaker, I rise today to stand with our allies in Ukraine — action that my Republican colleagues have repeatedly failed to take.

Over the two long years since Putin’s brutal war against Ukraine, I’ve been heartbroken to hear the personal stories of so many Ukrainian Americans in my district and beyond who are living in fear for their families and friends.

Yet — evidently heedless to this call to action from Ukraine, from our constituents, and from many of our nation’s allies — Republicans in the House continue to obstruct the Senate-passed bipartisan national security bill, which would deliver military, economic, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Their GOP blockade plays directly into Putin’s hands.

At the top of his State of the Union Address last week, President Biden said:

“If the United States walks away now, it will put Ukraine at risk. Europe at risk. The free world at risk, emboldening others who wish to do us harm.”

Enough is enough. It’s past time to stop this gamesmanship and at last rise together to oppose tyranny and defend democracy.

The world is watching.