By LISA MASCARO, AP Congressional Correspondent
WASHINGTON (AP) – The US Home has overwhelmingly accredited a decision “steadfastly, staunchly, proudly and fervently” in help of Ukraine.
Lawmakers mentioned Wednesday that historical past was watching the way in which the world responds as Ukrainians struggle to save lots of their Western-style democracy from invasion by Russia. With intensifying urgency, many in Congress mentioned extra should be executed to assist Ukraine and reduce off Russian President Vladimir Putin’s means to wage battle.
Within the Senate, Lindsey Graham, RS.C., was additionally introducing a decision that may again Ukraine’s declare in worldwide courtroom that Putin and his “cronies” have dedicated battle crimes.
“The digicam of historical past is rolling on all of us at this time,” mentioned Rep. Gregory Meeks, DN.Y., chairman of the Overseas Affairs Committee throughout a Home flooring debate.
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He urged his colleague to offer a unanimous vote to overwhelmingly present “whether or not or not we stood up and stood out to guard freedom.”
The decision comes after the blue and yellow colours of the Ukraine flag had been on view within the Home chamber for President Joe Biden’s State of the Union speech Tuesday evening, a show of bipartisan frequent floor for the usually divided Congress.
Whereas resolutions don’t carry the drive of regulation, Congress is working rapidly to supply a supplemental funding bundle of at the very least 4 6.4 billion of navy and humanitarian help for Ukraine.
Lawmakers warned the battle was taking an ominous flip as Russian troops encircled Kyiv and different main Ukrainian cities, and residents took up arms to cease the invasion.
The decision accredited by the Home says it “stands steadfastly, staunchly, proudly and fervently behind the Ukrainian folks of their struggle towards the authoritarian Putin regime.”
It requires a right away cease-fire and the elimination of Russian forces from Ukraine, pledges US help for the Ukrainian resistance and vows to offer “important extra help and humanitarian reduction to Ukrainian refugees fleeing Russia’s aggression.”
All however three members of the Home voted for the decision: Republican Reps. Paul Gosar of Arizona, Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Matt Rosendale of Montana.
The Senate unanimously accredited an analogous measure in help of Ukraine final month.
Graham mentioned Wednesday that he’s introducing a brand new decision to carry Putin and people round him accountable for the assault on Ukraine in worldwide courts.
“Sufficient of the homicide, sufficient of the destruction and carnage,” Graham mentioned Wednesday at a press convention on the Capitol.
Graham mentioned of Putin: “The world has let him get away with an excessive amount of for too lengthy.”
A former navy lawyer, Graham is introducing a measure that may again Ukraine’s declare in worldwide courtroom of battle crimes by Putin. He’s joined by Ukraine-born Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., Who has spoken passionately in favor of a US function in saving her nation.
Congress largely backs Biden’s technique of financial sanctions towards Russia, whilst lawmakers push for extra. Many need Biden to chop off Russian oil and gasoline exports to the US as a solution to clip Putin’s economic system and deprive him of assets. Lawmakers of each events need to ship Ukraine extra ammunition, anti-aircraft weapons and different navy and reduction help.
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