After Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s addressed Congress on Wednesday, members of the Florida delegation weighed in on his efforts as Russia continues to invade that nation–including taking more action.
U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., called for President Joe Biden to do more to help Ukraine.
“President Biden needs to make a decision today: either give Ukraine access to the planes and anti-aircraft defense systems it needs to defend itself, or enforce a no-fly zone to close Ukrainian skies to Russian attacks. If President Biden does not do this now, President Biden will show himself to be absolutely heartless and ignorant of the deaths of innocent Ukrainian children and families,” Scott said.
“This is a fight for democracy and our security,” Scott added. “The United States must lead the world in both supporting Ukraine and destroying Russia for its horrific attacks and unjust war. Children are dying. The video President Zelenskyy showed today was difficult to watch and absolutely heartbreaking. After seeing these images and hearing his calls for help, it would be purely heartless and unacceptable to do nothing. Since the start of the war, President Biden has been slow to act and Congress has led the way in supporting Ukraine in its fight for democracy. I agree with President Zelenskyy that Biden should step up and lead, but it’s clear that Biden’s weakness will not change. Congress must quickly pass a bill to end Permanent Normal Trade Relations with Russia, ban all Russian imports and further devastate the Russian economy. I also echo President Zelenskyy’s request for the United States to sanction every Russian politician that does not resign from the government and make clear that any company still operating in Russia or Belarus must get out immediately—no amount of profit is worth supporting this war.
“The United States has the power to give Ukraine what it needs to win and ensure Putin and his thugs personally feel the pain of this ruthless and unlawful invasion. We must use it,” Scott said in conclusion.
U.S. Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., who is running for the Democratic nomination to challenge U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., in November, called for additional sanctions on Russia.
“President Zelenskyy has exemplified the courage and determination of the Ukrainian people and it was an honor to hear from him this morning. America must always stand for freedom and democracy, which is why last week I voted for military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine. Though we have forced historically strong sanctions on Vladimir Putin and his corrupt regime, they must be stronger. I’ve led efforts to target Putin personally in Congress and I again call for additional sanctions to target all of Putin’s political allies, cripple his personal wealth and hold him responsible for this unforgivable war of conquest,” Demings said.
Earlier in the week, U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., appeared on the “The Sean Hannity Radio Show” and expressed his support for Ukraine.
“We need to do everything within our capabilities and our power to send [the Ukrainians] the equipment, the defensive military equipment, that they need to push back on Russian aggression,” Steube said. “Wouldn’t it be amazing if the $80 billion worth of military equipment that Biden and this administration abandoned in Afghanistan, into the hands of terrorist organizations, would’ve simply been shipped into the Ukraine? Ukrainians could’ve used Black Hawks, C-130’s, and all the other equipment that we left in Afghanistan. We absolutely need to give them what they need to defend their people against these attacks.”
“On day one, [Biden] killed the Keystone pipeline. On day one, he killed new federal leases for oil exploration and put in a ton of regulations on our oil and gas industries that basically prohibit them from producing domestically. All while opening up the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to Putin, which opened up billions of dollars of revenue straight into the Kremlin – which is financing what he’s doing in Ukraine,” he added.
“I absolutely believe that we have a moral obligation to help the citizens of Ukraine from being intentionally targeted by the Russian military,” Steube continued. “I believe that God has called on us as a nation who has the ability, and that our nation is going to face judgment for not doing what we are morally obligated and have the ability to do. Give them weapons, give them the ability to defend themselves against what is pure evil coming from Moscow.”
