Ukraine Freedom Support Act of 2014

Floor Speech

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Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, reserving the right to object, though I
don't intend to object, I would like to stand this evening and say, as
cochair of the Ukranian Caucus, along with my dear colleagues, Jim
Gerlach of Pennsylvania, and the ranking member of the full committee,
Congressman Eliot Engel of New York, I stand in strong support of H.R.
5859, a measure that allows America to shine the hope of liberty to the
distant land of Ukraine, a measure that we hope to send to the
President's desk very soon, and we need to move it tonight.

It is clear that Russia is actively fomenting upheaval and
propagandizing in the West about its illegal invasion. It is an
invasion, plain and simple, of a sovereign nation. The Kremlin's
designs don't stop with Ukraine, and we see substantial pressure being
placed on our NATO allies and other European friends. Liberty cannot
bow to Putin's aggression.

Six months ago, when Russia invaded Ukraine, 4,000 more Ukrainian
lives were existing and have been taken. Just according to the U.N.
1,000 additional lives have been lost since the cease-fire that was
negotiated in September, and approximately 13 lives per day are being
lost.

Since the cold war, a vision has emerged of a Europe whole, free, and
at peace, and that reality is within reach. Putin's reckless aggression
cannot stand. The United States cannot let the hope of liberty die,
surely, in a land where its people have historically suffered more than
any other place on Earth. The ravages of World War II still sting their
memory and ours, and motivate our actions here tonight.

By approving H.R. 5859, America sends a clear signal to the world
that we are the standard bearer of liberty at home and abroad. I am
very pleased to join my colleagues this evening.

I thank the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee for sending the House this bill.

With that, I withdraw my reservation of objection.

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