Majority Leader Schumer Floor Remarks On Welcoming Ukrainian President Zelenskyy To The Senate Tomorrow And The Urgent Need to Pass The National Security Supplemental Package

Washington, D.C. – Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor on the Senate welcoming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tomorrow and the urgent need to pass the national security supplemental to provide aid for Israel, Ukraine, and humanitarian assistance for Gaza. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:

Tomorrow morning, Leader McConnell and I will welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the Senate.

This will be the third time President Zelenskyy meets with Senators since the start of the war, and it will be his most important visit of all. The war in Ukraine stands at a crossroads, with our friends in desperate need of American aid to maintain pressure on Vladimir Putin.

The last time President Zelenskyy spoke to the Senate, he warned us that without more aid, Ukraine would lose the war. Simple as that. Earlier today, he warned military officers at the National Defense University that “if there's anyone inspired by unresolved issues on Capitol Hill, it is just Putin and his sick clique.”

So, if there is a word for what we most need this week, the word is to be serious about the task at hand. If Republicans in the Senate do not show they’re serious about finalizing an agreement for the national security package, Vladimir Putin is going to walk through Ukraine and right through Europe.

Both parties understand that aiding Ukraine and resisting Putin are critical for our national security. But Republicans – and only Republicans – are holding everything up because of unrealistic, maximalist demands on the border.

Last week, we put forth a serious bill to address our national security needs. The package included robust border security provisions.

Republicans rejected it out of hand, demanding their way or the highway, even though they were offered an amendment of their choosing and they only need eleven Democrats to go along.

This posture is unserious. Again, Republicans – and only Republicans – are holding everything up because of unrealistic, maximalist demands on the border.

I want to be very clear: Democrats very much want an agreement if possible. We talked all weekend with our Republican counterparts to find some kind of agreement. We talked again earlier today. We are not there yet, but as a sign of good faith, Democrats are going to keep trying. 

If Republicans keep insisting on Donald Trump’s border policies, then they will be at fault when a deal for aid to Ukraine, Israel, and humanitarian aid to Gaza fall apart. The onus is on Republicans to show they’re willing to moderate.

Let me say that again: if Republicans keep insisting on Donald Trump’s border policies, then they will be at fault when a deal for Ukraine, Israel, and humanitarian aid to Gaza all fall apart. Republicans would be giving Vladimir Putin the best gift he could ask for.

Democrats are serious about reaching a reasonable, bipartisan compromise to pass this package. The question is if Republicans are now willing to do the same.

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