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March 06, 2014

Rep. Schiff Speech in Support of Legislation to Assist Ukraine: "Cold War is Over, and Territorial Aggression by Russia Will Not Resurrect Its Empire"

Washington, DC –Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), a senior Member of the Intelligence Committee and Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, voted for and spoke on the House Floor in support of bipartisan legislation, H.R. 4152, which would provide for the cost of loan guarantees for Ukraine.  The legislation passed the House this afternoon.

The full speech can be viewed here.

“Mr. Speaker, I stand today with the people of Ukraine and in strong support of this legislation, which will provide the Administration with additional and immediate flexibility to assist Ukraine, and I look forward to working on further ways to assist Ukraine in the appropriations process.

“But this effort cannot be just about helping Ukraine; it must also be about reversing Russian aggression and curbing Vladimir Putin’s revanchist policies in Russia’s ‘Near Abroad.’  President Obama's action this morning – to cut off access to assets and place travel restrictions on those involved in the violation of Ukraine's sovereignty – is a positive first step, but the pressure must be increased in the coming days if Russia fails to reverse course.

“I support a slate of economic sanctions led by the United States and Europe to isolate Russia’s economy and its leadership, so that Putin is made to understand that his violation of international law and the sovereignty of his neighbors will not be tolerated. 

“The collapse of the Soviet Empire was one of the seminal events of the latter half of the Twentieth Century.  The Cold War is over and territorial aggression by Russia will not resurrect its empire, but only diminish its standing in the world and the future of its people.”