[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 37 (Thursday, February 29, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H753]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1215
                      RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE

  (Ms. PLASKETT asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. PLASKETT. Madam Speaker, on the second anniversary of Russia's 
invasion, I reaffirm America's steadfast support of Ukraine.
  This is not merely a gesture of international solidarity. It is a 
strategic imperative of the U.S. Our commitment to Ukraine extends 
beyond the defense of global freedom and democracy. It is fundamentally 
aligned with America's national interests.
  With an investment of less than 5 percent of our defense budget, we 
have catalyzed a significant shift in the balance of power, crippled 
over half of Russian military forces, fortified Europe's stability and 
prosperity, protected our NATO allies, and ensured the stability of 
global food prices and supplies.
  Let me be clear: A stable, democratic Europe is not just beneficial 
but essential to America's economy, food security, and national 
defense. The battlefields of Ukraine are the front lines of our freedom 
itself, and their struggle is our struggle.
  As the deadline looms for Federal funding, House Democrats have 
consistently extended bipartisanship to ensure our government remains 
open and our national security protected.
  The time for decisive action is now.

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