I'm standing with Ukraine today

This morning, I was inspired by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's impassioned address to Congress.

He reminded us that the horrors and devastation that our country experienced at Pearl Harbor and on 9/11 are happening every single day across multiple cities in Ukraine.

These atrocities must end.

President Zelenskyy has a dream for peace and independence for his country and the United States and our international allies need to help him achieve it.

However, it is clear that Putin is not a rational actor and we must be careful to not inadvertently escalate this crisis— which would not make the Ukrainian people or our European allies any safer. The past twenty years serve as a strong warning of the dangers of getting our military involved in other nation's conflicts.

Instead, we must impose exacting and painful sanctions on Putin and his cronies by using every tool at our disposal to isolate Russia from the global economy.

Earlier this month, I introduced legislation to end Permanent Normal Trade Relations with Russia and suspend them from the World Trade Organization. President Biden and our G7 allies have begun to advance this idea. I also voted in favor of banning the import of Russian oil and gas in addition to a cascade of economic sanctions that will cut off Putin's cash flow for this reckless, unjustified war.

It is crucial that we support the Ukrainian people who have been forced to flee their home country. I support raising the cap on refugee admissions for those coming from Ukraine to the United States. I also am proud of the nearly $300 million in humanitarian assistance the United States has provided to frontline organizations responding to this crisis and to help ensure neighboring countries that are welcoming refugees have the resources to do so.

I stand with President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people. I will continue working in Congress to ensure we are doing everything we can to de-escalate.

Courage,

Earl