Majority Leader Schumer Floor Remarks On The Need To Approve Critical Emergency Funding For The People Of Ukraine

Washington, D.C. –  Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor regarding urgent need for the Senate to approve bipartisan House-passed emergency assistance to help to the Ukrainian people in their continued fight against Russian aggression without unnecessary delay. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:

In the immediate future, Republicans need to work with Democrats to pass another round of critical emergency funding for the people of Ukraine. We have a moral obligation to act, and to act swiftly.

The House already passed a Ukraine package with overwhelming bipartisan support; it should be no different here in the Senate. Both of our caucuses heard loud and clear from the Ukrainian Ambassador earlier this week that time is of the essence.   

I urge my Republican colleagues to work with Democrats to get a funding package done as soon as possible—ASAP. Republicans shouldn’t block this bill: there is no reason—no reason whatsoever—not to get Ukraine funding approved fast.

I also call on my colleagues to swiftly pass additional legislation to arm the federal government with the tools needed to liquidate assets seized from Russian Oligarchs: yachts, mansions, private jets, art collections, and more.

It should be a no-brainier to provide the tools necessary to go after crooked Russian oligarchs, but nevertheless House Republicans bewilderingly opposed adding these tools in the House package. The Senate should do better; both parties should work quickly and decisively to get this done through regular order. This issue should certainly be a bipartisan issue.

As the war in Ukraine enters its third bloody month, we must to leave no stone unturned in making Putin and his cronies pay a price and helping the Ukrainian people. Their fight against Russian aggression is a struggle between democracy and authoritarianism itself, so there should be no question—no question—about which side America stands on.

Again, I urge my Republican colleagues not to block this legislation, but to work with us to quickly get this passed through the chamber. Everyone can have their own idea, but if everyone has their own idea, we'll get nothing done. We have to come together on a bill that's gotten broad bipartisan support in the House and in the Senate. 

###