[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 163 (Wednesday, October 4, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S4924]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                Ukraine

  Mr. KELLY. Mr. President, over the weekend, Congress narrowly avoided 
a government shutdown. It is ridiculous that it got this close. While 
we avoided this disaster for now, I am disappointed that partisan 
dysfunction prevented Congress from extending U.S. support for Ukraine 
at such a critical time.
  As Ukraine continues their counteroffensive and their most recent aid 
package is drawn down, we must work quickly to get Ukraine more of the 
weapons and support they need to beat Putin, because, make no mistake, 
that is what this is about--whether Vladimir Putin comes out the other 
side of this emboldened or defeated.
  Our military leaders have made clear that China's and Russia's 
aggression are the top threats that we face. While President Xi of 
China watches, Putin has authorized cyber attacks against the United 
States and proven himself a war criminal willing to invade his 
Democratic neighbors and intentionally--intentionally--murder women and 
children and abduct Ukrainian youth from their parents in an effort to 
recreate the Soviet empire.
  Whether Putin is successful in Ukraine has serious implications for 
U.S. national security. Up to this point, this invasion has been a 
massive strategic failure for him. He underestimated the courage and 
the fight of the Ukrainian people to defend their homeland, which I 
have seen firsthand in Kyiv. He also underestimated the will of the 
United States and our allies to quickly and effectively support 
Ukraine.
  Over the course of the now 20-month war, we have sent Ukraine the 
equivalent of a small fraction of our yearly defense budget. This has 
included guns, artillery, ammunition, tanks, missile systems and more. 
It has also included the training on how to use and maintain these 
systems. Now, as it should be, this support has been carefully 
evaluated and targeted based on what Ukraine needs most on the 
battlefield. It is not a blank check. It is tracked closely. I have 
seen this myself during two visits to Poland and Ukraine. It has also 
had the impact of allowing us to modernize our own stockpiles.
  Think about what this support means for our own national security. 
Russia's massive army is now a shadow of its former self. They have 
lost thousands of armored vehicles, tanks, and artillery pieces. 
They've lost hundreds of aircraft. They are experiencing the limits of 
their own power, and they have resorted to forced conscription of their 
own citizens to fill their ranks.
  China is watching this, and they are witnessing the staying power and 
the strength of the coalition that we lead.
  Ukraine is on the move, making steady progress in a counteroffensive 
to take back their country. Russia is losing.
  Now is not the time to let up. It is time to push forward. A majority 
of Republicans and Democrats in both the House and Senate agree. We 
know that. So, while partisan dysfunction got in the way over the 
weekend, we have got to work together to extend the support that 
Ukraine needs. For the sake of Ukraine's freedom and our own national 
security, we must get this done--and quickly.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Michigan.
  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, first let me just say ``Amen'' to my 
friend and colleague from Arizona.
  Mr. President, I would ask, first, unanimous consent that following 
my remarks, Senator Schmitt be permitted to speak for 5 minutes and 
Senator Cardin be permitted to speak for 5 minutes prior to the 
scheduled vote.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.