Congressman Turner recently addressed the critical situation in Ukraine during a questioning session with CIA Director William Burns. Turner emphasized the urgent need for the United States to provide aid to Ukraine, highlighting the country's dwindling ammunition supplies and the escalating conflict with Russia.
Turner expressed concern over the delay in approving an aid package for Ukraine, stressing the importance of resupplying the Ukrainian forces to prevent Putin's regime from gaining an upper hand. He underscored the significance of supporting democracies in the face of authoritarian regimes and emphasized the right of the Ukrainian people to self-determination.
There is a proposed aid package, co-sponsored by Republican Congressman Fitzpatrick and Democratic Congressman Golden, amounting to $49 billion. This package aims to provide essential support to Ukraine, albeit with some differences from the Senate-approved version.
Turner mentioned a discharge petition initiated by Jim McGovern to force the aid package onto the House floor. Despite bipartisan support for the Senate bill, there seems to be reluctance from House Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic leader Hakim Jeffries to expedite the process.
Turner highlighted the urgency of the situation, pointing out that the global perception of the United States' commitment to defending democracy is at stake. He warned of the implications for other countries like China, North Korea, and Iran, who are closely observing the response to the Ukraine crisis.
Turner urged swift action to approve the aid package, emphasizing the broader implications for international relations and the future of democracy worldwide. The need to support Ukraine in its struggle against Russian aggression was portrayed as a pivotal moment in determining the United States' stance on defending democratic values.