Washington, March 3 (AP): The US House has overwhelmingly approved a resolution “strongly, strongly, proudly and enthusiastically” in support of Ukraine.
Lawmakers said on Wednesday that history is watching how the world reacts as Ukrainians fight to save their Western-style democracy from invasion by Russia.
With intense urgency, many in Congress said more should be done to help Ukraine and reduce Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ability to wage war.
In the Senate, Lindsey Graham, R.C., was also introducing a motion that would support Ukraine’s claim in the International Court of Justice that Putin and his “companions” committed war crimes.
“The camera of history is rolling over all of us today,” said Rep. Gregory Meeks, D.N.Y., chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, during the House floor debate.
He urged his ally to vote unanimously to show “whether we stood up or not and stood up for the defense of liberty.” The resolution came after the blue and yellow colors of Ukraine’s flag were seen Tuesday night in the House Chamber for President Joe Biden’s State of the Union speech, a display of bipartisan common ground for an often divided Congress.
While the proposals do not have the force of law, Congress is working swiftly to produce a supplemental funding package of at least $6.4 billion in military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine.
Lawmakers warned that the war was taking an ominous turn as Russian troops besieged Kyiv and other major Ukrainian cities, and civilians took up arms to stop the invasion.
The resolution adopted by the House said it “stands firmly, resolutely, proudly and enthusiastically behind the Ukrainian people in the fight against the authoritarian Putin regime.” It calls for an immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine, promises US support for the Ukrainian resistance, and pledges to provide “significant additional aid and humanitarian relief to Ukrainian refugees fleeing Russian aggression”. . All but three members of the House voted for the motion: Republican Representatives Paul Goser of Arizona, Thomas Massey of Kentucky and Matt Rosendale of Montana.
The Senate unanimously approved a similar measure in support of Ukraine last month.
Graham said on Wednesday he was presenting a new resolution in international courts to hold Putin and those around him responsible for the attack on Ukraine.
“Enough for murder, enough for destruction and genocide,” Graham said at a news conference at the Capitol on Wednesday.
Graham said of Putin: “The world has let him go too far for too long.” A former military lawyer, Graham is offering a measure that would support Putin’s claim of Ukraine in the International Court of War Crimes. He is joined by Ukraine-born representative Victoria Spartz, R-Ind, who has fervently spoken in favor of the US role in saving her country.
Congress largely supports Biden’s strategy of economic sanctions against Russia, even as lawmakers insist more.
Many want Biden to cut Russian oil and gas exports to the US as a way to shut down Putin’s economy and deprive them of resources.
Lawmakers on both sides want to send more ammunition, anti-aircraft weapons and other military and relief aid to Ukraine. (AP) VM VM
(This story has been published as part of an auto-generated Syndicate wire feed. Headline or body have not been edited by ABP Live.)