Hoyer: Ukraine Must Win this War, and Putin and His War Crimes Must Lose It

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) delivered remarks on the House Floor in support of the Ukraine Support Act, brought to the House Floor after a successful discharge petition. Below are a video and transcript of his remarks:

Click here to watch a video of his remarks.

"I thank my friend Mr. Meeks, the Ranking Member of this committee. I thank all those who had the courage to stand up and sign this bill. And I would say to my friend who just spoke - who I have great respect for - nothing in this bill contradicts the concerns that he raised. They are consistent with the concerns he raised, and in fact, they present a forward movement on the concerns that he made.

"Mr. Speaker, to paraphrase General Eisenhower, 'The eyes of the world are upon us.' Since Putin launched his perfidious invasion of Ukraine [in] February 2022, the House has taken twelve votes to support the Ukrainians in defense of their freedom of their sovereignty and international law. Overall, in twelve [votes], an average [80%] of this House has voted to hold firm to the principle that Ukraine must win this war, and Putin and his war crimes must lose it. Twelve bills, [an] average 80% of the House of Representatives voting for an addition that America has a pivotal role in supporting Ukraine. The last time, however, that we voted on a Ukraine assistance package was April 2024. My friend said he was for Ukraine, but not today. I have heard so many times, 'I'm for Ukraine, but not this bill.' 'Yes, I'll be with you on Ukraine, but not now.'

"In 2025, American aid to Ukraine fell by 99%. Thankfully, international aid to Ukraine stayed close to 2024 levels because European allies stepped up and delivered a 67% surge. Not a 2%, not a 4%, not a - 67% surge in military assistance and a 59% rise in humanitarian aid. Europe is carrying its weight in helping Ukraine. In [the] two years since we last approved the package, Ukrainians have endured two bitter winters of war. It is time for us to act. Russian drones have continued to reign terror on civilian neighborhoods, driven in part by their extraordinary advances in drone technology. However, Ukraine is carrying the day. A generation of young Russians sacrificed for Putin's pride.

"In this moment, at the end of my tenure in Congress, I hear echoes from its beginnings when the Cold War was in terminal phase. Ronald Reagan traveled to Berlin in 1987, standing in front of the Berlin Wall. Just two years before it fell, he told how Soviets tried to outlast the West during the decade's nuclear surge. The Soviets had dug their heels in, but Reagan declared, 'The alliance held firm.' This is about the alliance holding firm. Today we can declare to Vladimir Putin, just as President Reagan did, that our alliance holds firm, that America holds firm. President Reagan had said earlier in 1983, and I quote, ' Our adversaries must,' and I quote, 'must be made to understand we will never -' 30 additional seconds? 'Reagan said in 1983, 'Our adversary must be made to understand: we will never compromise our principles and standards, nor ignore the facts of history and the aggressive impulses of an evil empire.' He was talking about the Soviet Union and Russia today. To do so would mean abandoning the struggle between right and wrong.

"Mr. Speaker, this is a moment. This is a moment to choose between right and wrong; good and evil. Not tomorrow, but today. Tonight. This is a moment to stand with those who are fighting on the front lines for democracy, sovereignty, and international law. This is a moment for all of us. Together, Democrats and Republicans, Americans and our allies to hold firm. Let's hold firm. Vote yes on this bill. It's time to send a message to the world and to the Ukrainians."