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Floor Speech
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Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I am offering this unanimous consent on behalf of myself and Leader McConnell. Let me explain the unanimous consent.
As the war in Ukraine extends into its third month, we have a moral obligation--a moral obligation--to stand with Ukraine in its fight against Putin's immoral war.
Earlier this week, the House passed a Ukraine package with overwhelming bipartisan support. It should be no different here in the Senate. The package is ready to go. The vast majority of Senators on both sides of the aisle wants it. There is now only one thing holding us back. The junior Senator from Kentucky is preventing the swift passage of Ukraine aid because he wants to add, at the last minute, his own changes directly into the bill. His change is strongly opposed by many Members from both parties. He is not even asking for an amendment; he is simply saying: My way or the highway.
When you have a proposal to amend a bill, you can't just come to the floor and demand it by fiat. You have to convince other Members to back it first. That is how the Senate works. If every Member held every bill in exchange for every last little demand, it would mean the total and permanent paralysis of this Chamber. The junior Senator from Kentucky knows that perfectly well. He knows that is not how this Chamber works.
Again, when you have a proposal to change a bill, you have to convince Members to support it. The junior Senator from Kentucky has not done that.
So right now, in conjunction with Leader McConnell, I am giving Senator Paul an opportunity to do just that. I am offering to hold a vote on his amendment, even though I disagree with it. Let the Chamber speak its will. Let both sides of the aisle have input. And, for Heaven's sake, let's get Ukraine funding done ASAP.
We must keep our promise to the people of Ukraine, and I hope the junior Senator from Kentucky does not stand in the way of keeping that promise. If Senator Paul persists in his reckless demand, we will not allow him to insert his language into this bill without a vote, and all he will accomplish is to singlehandedly delay desperately needed Ukraine aid.
I yield to the Republican leader.
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Mr. SCHUMER. 366, S. 4190, Senator Kennedy's bill on Ukraine oversight; that the bill be considered read a third time and the Senate vote on passage of the bill; further, that upon disposition of the Kennedy bill, the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 368, H.R. 7691, a bill to provide aid to Ukraine; that the only amendment in order be the Paul amendment, which is at the desk; that the Senate vote on the Paul amendment with 60 affirmative votes required for adoption; that the bill be read a third time and the Senate vote on passage of the bill, as amended, if amended; and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, all without intervening action or debate.
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Mr. SCHUMER. That is not the case for the overwhelming majority here.
Again, all he will accomplish with his actions here today is to delay that aid, not to stop it. It is aid that is desperately needed by a valiant people fighting against authoritarianism and defending democracy. So I will not modify it.
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