CONGRESSMAN MORELLE TAKES ACTION TO HOLD PUTIN ACCOUNTABLE AND DELIVER CRITICAL AID TO THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE

(Washington, D.C.) — Today, Congressman Joe Morelle took new action to support the people of Ukraine and further punish Vladimir Putin. The package of legislation passed today in the House of Representatives provides $13.6 Billion in critical humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine while also taking drastic steps to hinder Putin and the Russian economy.

“We promised to support the brave people of Ukraine—and I’m proud that today, we’re making good on that promise by sending the critical resources they need to stop Russian aggression,” said Rep. Morelle. “In addition to necessary humanitarian aid, we are taking action to cripple Putin and the Russian economy by suspending energy imports like oil. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to hold Putin accountable and demonstrate our ongoing commitment to supporting Ukraine.”

These actions come after Rep. Morelle and colleagues in the Congressional Ukraine Caucus met virtually with President Zelenskyy in a private call over the weekend to discuss ongoing aid. The Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act, which Rep. Morelle co-sponsors, puts pressure on the Russian economy by:

• Banning the import of Russian oil and other energy products into the United States;
• Taking steps to review Russia’s access to the World Trade Organization as a way of further diminishing the Russian economy;
• Reauthorizing and strengthening the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, which will allow for the imposition of additional sanctions against Russia.

Rep. Morelle also voted to provide $13.6 billion in humanitarian, military and economic support to Ukraine through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022. That funding includes:

• $1.4 billion for Migration and Refugee Assistance to provide humanitarian support for refugee outflows from Ukraine.
• $2.65 billion for International Disaster Assistance to provide emergency food assistance, health care, and urgent support for vulnerable populations and communities inside Ukraine and in the region.
• $1.12 billion for Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia to flexibly respond to either macroeconomic needs in Ukraine, continuity of government efforts such as energy and cyber security, or needs in neighboring countries.
•  $650 million for the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) Program to provide additional support for Ukraine and countries affected by the situation in Ukraine, including NATO Eastern flank countries and other partners in the region, to build their capacity and deter further Russian aggression.
• $647 million for the Economic Support Fund to flexibly respond to either macroeconomic needs in Ukraine, continuity of government efforts such as energy and cyber security or needs in neighboring countries.