Wasserman Schultz on Ukraine President Zelensky’s Address to Congress

Congress today showed Ukraine President Zelensky that America stands united with his people, and while the images he shared were gut-wrenching and enraging, his inspiring message convinces me that we must do more to weaken the Kremlin war machine and help Ukrainians fight these murderous invaders

“Congress today showed Ukraine President Zelensky that America stands united with his people, and while the images he shared were gut-wrenching and enraging, his inspiring message convinces me that we must do more to weaken the Kremlin war machine and help Ukrainians fight these murderous invaders.

Thankfully, President Biden and Congress are doing just that. Congress just approved $13.6 billion for military and economic support, and today, President Biden pledged $800 million more. The House today will also revoke normal trade relations status from Russia and build on a bipartisan ban on the import of Russian oil and energy products into America. Congress is also prepared to review Russia’s access to the World Trade Organization and to reauthorize and strengthen the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, to impose further sanctions on Russia.

And as our government isolates Putin and his oligarchs, U.S. companies must also divest from Russia and weaken it in every way. Together, these swift, unprecedented actions will continue to devastate Russia financially, politically and militarily. Florida must join that effort, by divesting itself of $300 million in state pension assets in Russian companies. Gov. Ron DeSantis – who parrots autocrats by demonizing the media, immigrants, protests and democratic voting rights – must act. Any moral abdication sends a chilling message to brave freedom fighters in Venezuela and Cuba, where Putin already funds dictators and oppression. Russia must be punished, not coddled. The people of Ukraine, and every democracy on the planet, are counting on America to make that happen.”