Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of a bill that I am grateful to have introduced with the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Cleaver), my longtime friend and codel colleague, the Ukraine Religious Freedom Support Act.

It is important that we first acknowledge the heinous escalation by the war criminal Putin, as he continues to wage a one-sided, full-scale war in sovereign, democratic Ukraine. Putin's war in Ukraine and illegal occupation of Crimea have dragged on for 8 years. The human toll is staggering.

Prior to the full-scale invasion, fighting in the Russian-occupied regions had already claimed over 13,000 Ukrainian lives, including thousands of innocent civilians. That is even before the current invasion.

Another casualty of Russian aggression in Ukraine has been the attack on religious freedom. Russian occupation authorities in Crimea continue to persecute and intimidate the minority Christian, Muslim, and other religious groups, like the Jehovah's Witnesses.

Putin's puppets in Crimea during the duration of their occupation subjected them to kidnappings, torture, forced psychiatric examinations, and imprisonment. Muslim Crimean Tatars have been sentenced to serve lengthy terms in Russian prisons on the entirely baseless charge of terrorism.

Minority religious groups in the area of eastern Ukraine controlled by pro-Putin proxies have also been forced to flee in order to escape the oppressive conditions. The religious persecution in Ukraine being committed at the hands of the Putin authorities is self-destructive and must be stopped.

Throughout American history, the United States has worked tirelessly to advance religious freedom and protect religious minorities around the globe. The bill follows that strong tradition by accomplishing the following:

One, making clear that it is the policy of the United States to never recognize the illegal attempted annexation of Crimea by Russia or the separation through the use of military force or recognition of independence of any portion of Ukrainian territory;

Second, it helps ensure that war criminal Putin and his cronies are held accountable by considering any official involved in carrying out severe violations of human rights in sovereign Ukrainian territory by applying the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Three, additionally, this legislation requires a determination of whether to designate Russia as a country of concern for religious freedom.

We cannot allow these grave violations to continue. It is vital that the United States continues to be a leader in advancing international religious freedom around the world.

This bill not only brings international attention to the religious persecution being committed in the territory of Ukraine that Putin illegally occupies or controls through illegal armed groups it commands, but also ensures that war criminal Putin and his thugs are held accountable.

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, it is vital that the United States continue its tradition of advancing religious freedom and human rights around the world.

This bill brings accountability to the Putin regime for its crimes of oppressing religious minorities as it illegally occupies sovereign Ukrainian territory.

Additionally, it is so critical that the United States continue to send a clear message that it will never recognize Putin's illegal occupation of sovereign Ukrainian territory.

Mr. Speaker, as ranking member of the Helsinki Commission, I especially recognize our dear friend, the late Chairman Alcee Hastings for championing this issue and the Helsinki Commission for prioritizing human rights and holding war criminal Putin accountable for his continued violations of human rights and religious liberty in Ukraine.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Sadly, on February 24, war criminal Putin launched an unprovoked, unjustified murderous war of aggression against the people of Ukraine.

The humanitarian toll has been devastating. More than 5 million refugees have fled Ukraine. More than 7 million are believed to be internally displaced, and we have seen on our screens the heart- wrenching images of Putin's horrific war crimes in Bucha, Mariupol, and elsewhere.

The economic toll for Ukraine is no less devastating. The World Bank has forecasted that Ukraine's economy could contract by 45 percent this year with a worst-case scenario seeing its GDP shrink by 75 percent.

The Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said last week during a visit to Washington, that Ukraine would need around $5 billion a month in budgetary support as long as the war continued and then roughly $600 billion for a broader rebuilding effort.

To rebuild this country, the Ukrainian Prime Minister requested not only additional financial support from the United States and its allies and partners, but also the transfer of Russian assets that have been frozen by the global sanctions regime to Ukraine.

The U.S. must answer this call.

The resolution we are considering urges the President to establish an interagency working group to determine the constitutional mechanisms through which the United States could not only freeze but seize the assets of Russian oligarchs within the United States if this property was derived through corruption linked to the Putin regime.

The liquidated funds are to be repurposed for the benefit of the people of Ukraine, including post-conflict reconstruction when the Ukrainians win, humanitarian assistance, and assistance for the security forces of the Government of Ukraine.

I was grateful to colead this legislation with our colleague, Tom Malinowski of New Jersey. Thanks to an amendment from our colleague, Peter Meijer, the bill also urges the administration to expand sanctions on members of the Russian Parliament, the duma, who voted in support of recognizing the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republic, which are illegal fabrications. This vote served as part of Putin's pretext to Russia's unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against the people of Ukraine. Anyone who supported that vote must fall under U.S. sanctions--full stop. The administration needs to seriously consider how we can use the frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine fight and continue winning, then rebuild its country. Therefore, I urge all colleagues to join me in supporting this important bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Meijer).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, rather than financing war crimes in Ukraine and multimillion-dollar yachts and real estate for Putin's cronies, this money could be much better spent on urgently needed humanitarian aid and weapons for Ukraine.

This makes sense for the people of Ukraine as well as for the American taxpayer. I, therefore, urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, the Midlands of South Carolina were shocked to learn of the shooting death Sunday of Cayce police officer, Andrew ``Drew'' Barr, age 27.

Killed in the line of duty, Officer Barr was a brave, dedicated public servant, who will always be cherished as a champion for law and order.

Officer Barr was familiar with danger. Shortly after graduating from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy in 2017, he and another Cayce police officer were shot during an incident that involved a car chase and foot pursuit. They were awarded medals for bravery.

``Our hearts are breaking in Cayce. Officer Drew Barr has been an important part of the Cayce family since 2016,'' heralded by Cayce Mayor Elise Partin.

``Officer Barr gave the ultimate sacrifice for us to make us safe,'' confirmed by Cayce Police Chief Chris Cowan.

Cayce is fortunate to have Mayor Partin, Chief Cowan, and a law- enforcement-experienced councilman, Tim James.

Our prayers for the family of Texas National Guardsman Bishop Evans, who is a hero for trying to protect the drug-infested southern border.

God bless Ukraine. God bless Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to report that the total export sales from the State of South Carolina topped nearly $30 billion last year.

Increasing their influence, State exporters reached over 195 countries, with Germany and Canada tops. Korean investments are monumental by Samsung, and I praise today the Korean delegation of Dr. Jin Park and Tae-yong Cho.

Most notably, the Palmetto State leads the Nation in export sales of tires produced by Michelin, Bridgestone, Giti Tire, Continental, and Trelleborg Wheel Systems.

South Carolina also leads in passenger motor vehicle exports, including BMW, Volvo Cars, Honda, and Mercedes-Benz Vans.

In order to further support this vital market, South Carolina ports have invested over $2 billion in infrastructure, according to South Carolina Port Authority President Jim Newsome, soon to be succeeded by COO Barbara Melvin, backed up by Governor Henry McMaster.

In conclusion, God bless Ukraine. God save Ukraine. God bless Volodymyr Zelenskyy as he fights to maintain his freedom for all the people of the world.

Madam Speaker, the civilized world is shocked at the discovery of mass murder by Putin in Bucha, Ukraine. It is inspiring the leadership of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the immediate responses by Germany to Italy for expelling Putin's murder- complicit diplomats.

With innocent civilians discovered having their hands tied behind their backs, shot in the head, it is clear, war criminal Putin must be stopped with immediate military aid. Biden is correct to recognize this as part of the worldwide conflict of democracy with rule of law versus autocracy with rule of gun.

An undisputed atrocity is the Putin detention of Mayor Olga Sukhenko of Motyzhyn (Ma-ta-jhin), her husband, Igor and her son, Alexander. Later, they were discovered murdered mercilessly in a shallow grave.

I have faith in the Russian people with a great culture betrayed by the war criminal, Putin. There is legislation for defecting Russian troops, diplomats, and Duma members to be provided expedited refugee status to America and up to $100,000 for any Russian military equipment turned over to Ukraine. Ukraine will achieve victory.

God bless Ukraine. God save Ukraine. Long live Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Congratulations to Mayor Dan Rickenmann and the city of Columbia for sending aid to Ukraine.

Mr. Speaker, the civilized world is shocked at the discovery of mass murder by Putin in Bucha, Ukraine.

It is inspiring the leadership of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the immediate responses by Germany to Italy for expelling Putin's murder-complicit diplomats.

With innocent civilians discovered having their hands tied behind their backs, shot in the head, it is clear, war criminal Putin must be stopped with immediate military aid.

Biden is correct to recognize this as part of the worldwide conflict of democracy with rule of law versus autocracy with rule of gun.

An undisputed atrocity is the Putin murder of the mayor of Motyzhyn and her family.

I have faith in the Russian people with a great culture betrayed by the war criminal, Putin. There is legislation for defecting Russian troops, diplomats, and Duma members to be provided expedited refugee status to America and up to $100,000 for any Russian military equipment turned over to Ukraine.

Ukraine will achieve victory. God bless Ukraine. God save Ukraine. Long live Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Congratulations to Mayor Dan Rickenmann and the city of Columbia for sending aid to Ukraine.

Mr. Speaker, on Friday, The Wall Street Journal editorialized: ``Let Ukraine Go on Offense Against Russia.''

``As Russia's war on Ukraine enters its sixth week, the script has flipped. Russia's advance has stalled, and Ukraine now wants to go on offense to push back Russian forces from the land they have taken. But the country needs U.S. and NATO help to do it.''

``Now is the time to help Ukraine take the offensive. Reports of demoralized Russian forces are more frequent, including defectors who have taken equipment with them.''

``Throughout this conflict, the Biden administration has been slow. . . . `' Now ``is the time to keep the pressure on to truly achieve a strategic victory for Ukraine and NATO.''

I have faith in the Russian people, a great culture betrayed by war criminal Putin. There is legislation for defecting Russian troops, diplomats, and Duma members to be provided immediate refugee status in America and up to $100,000 for any Russian military equipment turned over to Ukraine.

God bless Ukraine, God save Ukraine, and long live Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Major General Brad Owens for his more than 37 years of distinguished service to the United States Army and South Carolina Army National Guard (SCARNG).

Major General Owens served as the Assistant Adjutant General for Joint Force Headquarters, South Carolina where he worked to increase the readiness and capabilities of our military. Major General Owens was the driving force behind the modernization of SCARNG facilities by partnering with academic institutions such as The Citadel, USC-Upstate, and Greenville Tech. His tremendous efforts have also set the conditions for an Aiken Readiness Center located on campus of the University of South Carolina-Aiken.

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Major General Owens served as the designated Dual-Status Commander for Defense Support of Civil Authorities where he led the effort to establish a Unified Command Group with multiple State Agencies that successfully responded to the needs of South Carolina. His service to the community and the guard will have an everlasting, positive effect far into the future.

His tireless work has led to strong relationships with combatant commands worldwide that increased the SCARNG support to over sixteen different countries. More notably, Major General Owens was instrumental in the SCARNG's fruitful partnership with Colombia, which resulted in his receiving of two decorations, the Faith in the Cause and the Torre de Castilla medal. His outstanding career is further highlighted with his many decorations and badges such as Combat Action Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Salvage Diver Badge, the Sapper identification tab, the Bronze Star Medal, six Meritorious Service Medals, seven Army Commendation Medals, and the Engineer Regiment's Silver de Fleury.

Major General Owens is known throughout the Aiken community and the state for his steady leadership and integrity. His notable service to both his country and community has made him beloved by those who worked with him and know him. We cannot thank him enough for his many decades of service to both his country and community.

Madam Speaker, happy 100th anniversary to the Reserve Organization of America, formerly known as the Reserve Officers Association of the United States.

As the only organization solely dedicated to supporting the Reserve components at all ranks of all services, the ROA is a professional association that supports the rights and benefits of its members and their families, promoting national security.

I know firsthand the effectiveness of ROA, having served with Colonel Leonard Metz as Midland's chapter president.

Shortly after World War I, in 1922, General John J. Pershing helped establish the ROA to ensure that America had a strong Reserve force to reinforce peace through strength.

ROA membership is open to all Federally commissioned officers, warrant officers, noncommissioned officers, enlisted, and their families of all services, along with the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th and the global war on terrorism which comes to America, sadly, from a safe haven in Afghanistan.

Long live Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Mr. Speaker, Ukraine, led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is winning and will be victorious over Putin. Biden must send military aid now.

The ruse provided by incompetent Russian generals to claim eastern Ukraine is a trick. Just as America would not surrender by giving up a small part of the Eastern United States, such as Delaware, we know Putin must be defeated by peace through strength.

Victory is the only option to stop autocracy by rule of gun against democracy by rule of law, a clash of civilizations. The Chinese Communist Party will be stopped from mass murder in Taiwan. Iranian mullahs will be stopped from vaporizing the people of Israel. The world's largest democracy of India can thrive in a stabilized world.

I have faith in the Russian people, a great culture with great cultural influence adopted in America. There is legislation for defecting Russian troops, diplomats, and Duma members to be provided immediate refugee status to America and up to $100,000 for any Russian military equipment turned over to Ukraine.

God bless Ukraine. God save Ukraine. Long live Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Madam Speaker, during a Monday address to the Ukrainian people, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a direct appeal to soldiers of Russia, asking: ``. . . why should you die?''

Zelensky said: ``We hear what you really think about this senseless war . . .'' Then telling those who surrender: ``. . . we will treat you the way people are supposed to be treated'' and ``. . . not how you are being treated in your army.''

Today, Putin declared war on the Russian people. His call for self- cleansing is a repeat of the murderous Stalinists purges leading to Soviet Socialist nonpersons who disappeared.

Today, I will be offering legislation for expedited refugee status to America for defecting members of the Duma, diplomatic personnel, and Russian Government officials.

This reinforces the bipartisan legislation for Russian military defectors for expedited refugee status to America. The defectors who turn over equipment to Ukraine will receive up to $100,000.

I also have a bill in Congress for a bust of President Zelenskyy to be placed in the U.S. Capitol.

God bless Ukraine. God save Ukraine. Long live President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Madam Speaker, Rev. Dr. Derek W. H. Thomas, now an American citizen from Wales, United Kingdom, being the Senior Minister of the First Presbyterian Church of Columbia founded in 1795 delivered a heartfelt prayer on February 27th for the embattled people of Ukraine with love for the people of Russia. The prayer was authored by Rev. Steven D. Froehlich of New Life Presbyterian Church of Ithaca, NY.

The ministry of Dr. Thomas is so meaningful to our family with six generations having attended First Presbyterian Church of Columbia.

Lord, destroy Putin the tyrant

Lord, have mercy on Putin the man made in your image

Lord, overwhelm the Russian soldiers with the guilt of the

evil to which they are party

Lord, show the Russian soldiers the forgiveness that can be

theirs in Christ

Lord, guide the weapons of Ukraine to destroy the weapons of

their enemy

Lord, may the Russian missiles go astray and miss their

targets

Lord, as you have done before, send your angels through the

camp breathing chaos and destruction among the Russian

army

Lord, as you have done before, send your angels to announce

the promise of peace and life in Christ

Lord, keep the Ukrainian people safe and the leaders alive,

wise and courageous

Lord, may the citizens of Russia flood the streets with

protest against the evil of their leaders

Lord, may the Russian fathers and mothers call to their

children bearing arms to lay down their weapons

Lord, may the United States and the nations of Europe be of

one mind and resolve to stand against evil, even when

it proves costly

Lord, may peace return to the Ukraine and Russia

Lord, as your children were vital to the collapse of the Iron

Curtain, may they once again be instruments of peace

and justice

Lord, may the Gospel be proclaimed in word and deed so that

in war and in peace, in life and in death, in joy and

in suffering, Christ might be lifted up, loved and

worshipped as the Prince of Peace.

``Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid . .

. I have told you all this so you may have peace in me.

Here on earth you will have many trials, but take

heart, because I have overcome the world.'' John 14:27,

16:33

In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.''

Madam Speaker, I was grateful to attend the joint session of Congress today to hear directly from the valiant Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He is a world hero for freedom and democracy.

Courageous Ukrainians will always be cherished as they protect rule of law over rule by gun by authoritarians in a worldwide conflict.

On Tuesday, President Zelenskyy clarified the war is not against Russian citizens. Putin is the mass murderer. President Zelenskyy called for Russian soldiers to surrender, and I have offered a bipartisan bill in Congress to reward Russian defectors with expedited refugee status to the United States, with up to $100,000 for Russian equipment turned over to Ukraine.

In the congressional address today, President Zelenskyy cited Mount Rushmore for its busts of American Founders, and I have a bipartisan bill in Congress for a bust of President Zelenskyy to be placed in the U.S. Capitol, in the tradition of Churchill, Havel, and Kossuth.

God bless Ukraine. God save Ukraine. Long live President Zelenskyy.

Mr. Speaker, war criminal Putin is betraying the young soldiers of Russia to death. 18- to 20-year-old conscripts are mercilessly sent to Ukraine on a training mission not knowing they were going to murder Ukrainian families of children, women, and men. Russian mothers and fathers are lied to by Putin that this is a ``special mission.''

I especially understand foreign service. My father served in the Flying Tigers with the Chinese military in Kunming, Chengdu, and Xi'an to stop aggression in World War II. As a parent, I am grateful my son Alan served in Iraq, my son Add in Iraq, my son Julian in Egypt, and my son Hunter in Afghanistan.

I know Russian families are concerned for their sons who are being sacrificed by Putin, murdering for oil, money, and power in Putin's war.

That is why I have offered bipartisan legislation to Russian military defectors for expedited refugee status to America. Defectors who turn over equipment to Ukraine will receive a payment of up to $100,000.

God bless Ukraine. God save Ukraine. Long live President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Mr. Speaker, the murderous Putin's war on Ukraine is recognized worldwide as criminal.

I am grateful that America and our NATO allies have unified to support Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Ukrainian people. I have faith in the Russian people, who I have met on numerous visits across Russia, that they will reject Putin's war atrocities.

Russia is a nation of world-significant art, music, architecture, literature, and can change. And that is why I am introducing a bill to encourage Russian military defectors, true Russian patriots, with immediate refugee status in America with up to $100,000 for Russian military equipment transferred to Ukraine. Putin betrays the troops to death for his purpose of oil, money, power.

Additionally, I will introduce a bill for a bust of President Volodymyr Zelensky to be placed in the U.S. Capitol, as is the bust of Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Churchill was the wartime leader of World War II, and Volodymyr Zelensky is the wartime leader in Putin's war.

On Saturday, I was very grateful to be part of the Zoom address by President Zelensky to the U.S. Congress. And today, he is addressing the British Parliament.

In December, I visited Kyiv, and I was so inspired by the people of Ukraine. It is a modern, free-market democracy with extraordinary success for its citizens of eight-lane boulevards with modern SUVs.

Today, Putin's war is conducting mass murder, defaming the people of Russia as innocent women and children are being murdered.

God bless Ukraine. God save Ukraine. Long live Volodymyr Zelensky.