Relating to the Disapproval of the Presidential Report with Respect to the Indebtedness of the Government of Ukraine--Motion to Proceed

Floor Speech

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Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, earlier this year, we passed a bipartisan national security supplemental that included crucial economic aid to Ukraine, which was structured as a forgivable loan. The Senate vote was overwhelming and bipartisan--79 to 18. That is because there is wide understanding on both sides of this aisle that support for Ukraine is an investment in our own national security interests, and that includes the economic support in that package, because while weapons are important, the costs of war are not just measured in arms, and the burdens are not only borne by the military.

There are day-to-day government functions that must continue to support the war effort and for the sake of the very families and communities Ukraine is fighting for, and that includes work to defend and repair critical infrastructure, roads, bridges, energy, water; work to fight off cyber attacks and corruption, which threaten to weaken critical functions of government; work to support the energy and agricultural sectors that are crucial to Ukraine's economic stability, not to mention the global food supply. And there is work to make sure first responders can keep doing their jobs; mental health and support services can reach veterans, internally displaced families, and others in need; and teachers and schools can keep supporting kids, which are the future of every country.

These investments are crucial to Ukraine's future and its resistance of Putin's invasion, and given how important those investments are, it is worth noting that these dollars came with three layers of oversight and audits to make sure they are being used as intended.

But the vote today is a test of whether we truly understand what is at stake here, not just for Ukraine but for America's strength as a global leader. It is a test of how closely we stand by our allies in their times of need.

Our adversaries are watching for us to fail. They are hoping to tell everyone: Watch out before you accept any help from the United States. They are hoping allies start doubting our promises. They are hoping other countries start second-guessing whether to build stronger ties with America. They are hoping we weaken our position in the world and weaken Ukraine in the process.

We cannot let that happen. I urge my colleagues to send a message: American leadership is strong, and our support for our allies is unwavering. And it is in our own national security interest.

I urge all of them to join me in opposing this joint resolution of disapproval.

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Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I yield back all the Democratic time.

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