Durbin Objects To Partisan Bill That Dangerously Omits Funding For Ukraine
Floor Speech
"I understand the concerns raised by my colleague from Kansas. I share many of them. We have all seen the horrifying videos and images, the scenes of death and destruction perpetrated by Hamas terrorists from October 7, the deadliest single day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. We all know that a return to the status quo is unacceptable We must get aid to Israel."
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"Think of this impromptu visit by the Hamas terrorists to Moscow Coincidence? Just happened to be part of the travel plan? No. Hamas had already attacked Israel. They were branded as a terrorist group. Where did they go to find solace, where did they go to find a friend? They go to Moscow, to Vladimir Putin. Why would we get soft on Putin at this moment?"
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"What's happening in Israel is a mirror of what is happening in Ukraine. A tyrant with atrocious conduct, unprovoked invasion of a country, innocent people killed. That's the story in both places. Yet, the Republicans come to the floor today and say to us "we are only concerned about one."
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"Two months ago, my colleagues joined me and others in the Old Senate Chamber for a private, secret, confidential meeting with the President of Ukraine. President Zelenskyy told us without equivocation that, "without the continued financial support of the United States and NATO, we will lose this war. Now for the Republicans to say "step aside, let the aid to Ukraine, if it's ever going to come, come much later' is to jeopardize their future and to really make a mockery of the amazing display of courage seen in Ukraine resisting Russian aggression."
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"To pull back now would be unconscionable, a reflection of an America no longer being the world leader it purports to be and a boon for countries like Russia, China, and Iran -- eager to fill any ensuing void. Secretary Blinken said it plainly, "In both Israel and Ukraine, democracies are fighting ruthless foes who are out to annihilate them.'"
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"One cannot look at the scenes coming out of Gaza without realizing there are many thousands of innocent victims, people who are not part of the terrorism of the Hamas leadership. People are simply trying to survive. The scenes coming from hospitals on a daily basis are a reminder to us that there is a desperate need for humanitarian aid Humanitarian assistance is not only the right thing to do, it will save lives. It'll help prevent the next conflict. It'll serve as a down payment on our own security in the future."
I urge my colleagues to resist this effort by the Republicans to walk away from Ukraine and to ignore the obvious consequences. The people of Ukraine have shown extraordinary courage. I hope a majority of the Senate will as well."
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