Harris Continues to Advocate for Support to Ukraine
WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) yesterday afternoon attended several events in response to the outbreak of war in Ukraine. Dr. Harris is a Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus and is the son of a Ukrainian mother who fled communist Eastern Europe following World War II.
Yesterday, the Caucus jointly sat down with Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova. Her reaction to the meeting can be viewed here. Following the meeting, Congressman Harris attended and spoke at a demonstration led by Representative Andy Levin (D-MI) in front of the Holodomor Memorial. Lastly, Congressman Harris received a classified Members-only briefing in the Capitol led by Secretaries Blinken (State), Austin (Defense), Raimondo (Commerce), Granholm (Energy), and Mayorkas (Homeland Security).
Congressman Harris issued the following statement:
"My mother fled Russian communism in Eastern Europe following World War II, and sadly it appears as though history may be repeating itself. Frustratingly, the Biden Administration could have prevented much of this bloodshed had they kept the Trump-era sanctions on Nord Stream II (rather than removing them), instituted severe economic sanctions including exclusion from the SWIFT system earlier, and stepped up American energy production to bring down the price of oil that funds the Russian economy. Nevertheless, I remain steadfastly supportive of Ukraine in the face of this illegal, immoral, and unprovoked Russian invasion, and I fully support the continued provision of lethal military aid to the country, enabling them to defend their sovereign territory. I, like the rest of the Western world, am inspired by the Ukrainians' courage and willingness to defend their liberty even in the face of overwhelming odds. As a Member of Congress, Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus and the son of a Ukrainian immigrant who fled Soviet tyranny, I will continue to work to support them in their fight for freedom and self-determination."
In addition, Congressman Harris has signed a letter sent by Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL) to the President, urging him to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Ukrainian nationals in the United States. Full text of the letter can be found here.
Yesterday's events follow several statements jointly issued by the Co-Chairs of Congressional Ukraine Caucus in recent weeks. These statements can be found below:
- Congressional Ukraine Caucus Statement on Russia's Attack on Ukraine (2/24/22)
- Congressional Ukraine Caucus Statement on Russia's Imminent Invasion of Ukrainian Territory (2/21/22)
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