Condemning Recent Actions Taken By the Russian Military to Down A United States Air Force Drone
Floor Speech
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Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 240) condemning recent actions taken by the Russian military to down a United States Air Force drone, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows: H. Res. 240
Whereas United States European Command released footage confirming that 2 Russian Su-27 fighter jets acted unprofessionally and in a reckless manner when intercepting and downing a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone on March 14, 2023;
Whereas a United States Air Force drone was acting safely and responsibly in international airspace and in accordance with international law; and
Whereas the 2 fighter jets released fuel and bumped into the drone, resulting in the drone crash-landing in the Black Sea: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) condemns the reckless actions of the Russian military; and
(2) reaffirms the United States will not be deterred from operating U.S. drones in international airspace in the Black Sea region due to Russia's reckless behavior.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 240 to condemn Russia's blatantly hostile actions last month downing a United States Air Force drone, downing one of our United States military aircraft.
Think about the seriousness of that.
On March 14, while flying in international airspace over the Black Sea, a U.S. Air Force Reaper drone was attacked by two Russian fighter jets. Yes, it was attacked. The two jets flew in front of it, and at one point, even dumped fuel onto the drone. Eventually, one of the Russian jets hit the drone's propeller and sent it crashing into the Black Sea.
Let's talk about what this really was.
Was this an American aircraft?
Yes, it was.
Was this an American aircraft flying in international airspace?
Yes, it was.
Was this an American aircraft flying in international airspace that was taken down as a result of Russian pilots' purposeful actions?
Yes, it was.
There is no version of the world in which this can be deemed acceptable. Unless that's in Joe Biden's world, apparently.
Let's compare and contrast the response of the Kremlin to the response of the White House on this attack.
Vladimir Putin rewarded the two fighter pilots with medals for a job well done. Think about that.
President Biden ordered altered flight patterns to avoid future conflicts with Russia.
That is the difference between the two responses.
We are having a lot of conversations about America being violated by foreign adversaries, the last bill and now this one.
The Kremlin sent a clear message about what took place, that this type of behavior, they deemed it commendable. They have pinned medals on the chests of their fighter pilots. They rewarded them.
The White House sent a clear signal that they are going to be bullied and they are going to be backing away. They responded with weakness and compromised our intelligence operations by moving us further from what we wanted to observe, when we were just debating a bill about China surveying us over our own territory with their balloon.
These are the differences in what is going on in the world right now.
By altering flight patterns and sending drones in the Black Sea further to the south, the Biden administration has degraded our ability to collect intelligence on Russian forces in the region. To put it simply, Putin lashed out, and very unfortunately, Biden backed down, and now America is less safe.
Vladimir Putin does not get a veto over U.S. operations of military operations in international airspace or sovereign Ukrainian airspace. Yet, President Biden seems determined to give him one.
This is just the next domino to fall, in my opinion.
How would the President respond if China took similar action against our aircraft in the South China Sea or in Taiwan?
President Biden is telegraphing to our adversaries that the U.S. will back down in the face of the slightest provocation. He is giving Vladimir Putin the validation that he needs: that he can simply threaten escalation in order to intimidate others into backing down. He draws no red lines.
This resolution condemns Russia's attack. It reaffirms that the U.S. will not be intimidated--something that we have to reaffirm in this body given what is going on--certainly not when it comes to operating drones in international airspace.
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Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I am equally honored to stand here with the gentleman and fellow veteran, Mr. Mast, as well as my New York colleague, Mr. Meeks.
Mr. Speaker, America has always stood up to bullies. I am a veteran of the Cold War. For half a century, our Nation stood against the tyranny of the Soviet Union.
I volunteered to serve in the Navy, making six strategic deterrent patrols in the Pacific aboard a nuclear submarine.
The mission was clear: to project strength, to stand ready to defend our Nation and our allies, and to deter the aggression of our enemies.
Today, we are reminded what happens if American leaders fail in that mission. The Russian military, emboldened by their invasion of Ukraine, making veiled threats of nuclear escalation, suppressing the voices even of their own people, they have deliberately provoked this Nation-- you and me.
On March 14, 2023, one of our MQ-9 Reaper drones, flying safely in international airspace and in accordance with international law, was attacked by two Russian Su-27 fighter jets.
These lawless pilots dumped their fuel, hitting our aircraft in mid- flight, forcing an American reconnaissance asset to ditch in international waters.
I remain shocked not only at the unprofessional and reckless nature of the Russian pilots, but also of the Russian Government's accolades and awards that it heaped upon them.
Mr. Speaker, I am reminded from my naval service that the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing. That is exactly why I have proposed H. Res. 240, a resolution condemning the reckless actions of the Russian military resulting in a loss of a U.S. aircraft.
The resolution is simple. It recognizes the events that took place, highlighted by the declassified video from European Command. It resolves that the House of Representatives condemns the Russian military's actions and reaffirms that the United States will not be deterred from operating our drones in the Black Sea. This resolution speaks not for a single political ideology but on behalf of all Americans who desire peace.
I would take a moment to thank Representative Costa, who has joined me in this bipartisan effort of standing up to tyranny and the direct act of aggression against our military.
At this time of escalating tensions around the world, we must speak out against brazen provocation. Today, the world can see that Americans across the political spectrum speak with one voice in condemnation of this act.
By standing together here on the floor of the House of Representatives, we project strength by standing together, we reassure our allies that we are committed to defend ourselves and our friends, and together, we will ensure the peace through deterrence in unity.
In closing, I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Williams) for introducing this important resolution. I believe that this Chamber has to stand firmly against Russian aggression. I believe very firmly that the United States of America has to have big, giant, brass stones. If our aggressors show us that they have bigger brass stones than what we do, then we will not be the leader of the free world.
I very much fear what is taking place right now. I will just say it like that. I very much fear what is taking place and is allowed to take place in this world.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
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