Chairman Rogers Floor Statement on HR 4152 (Ukraine Aid Legislation)

Mar 6, 2014
Statements

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers gave the following statement on the House floor today in support of H.R. 4152, legislation to provide aid to Ukraine.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to bring to the floor H.R. 4152, a bill providing the authority for loan guarantees for Ukraine.

As we all know, Ukraine is facing an extraordinarily difficult time. As a valued partner and friend of the United States, our nation has a duty to provide the people of Ukraine with help when they most need it.

This bill will provide some stability for the government and people of the Ukraine as they navigate through these troubled waters. The legislation before us will allow funds to be used to guarantee loans for the government of Ukraine – in support of the Secretary of State’s $1 billion pledge this week.

This bill does not appropriate new funds, but simply allows funds to be used from within existing State Department resources.

Ukraine’s economy has been in a difficult position for years, but now the country faces real risks. Russia has punished Ukraine for leaning toward the West and has suspended the assistance they planned to provide.

This bill will not solve all of Ukraine’s problems, but it is an important first step that will allow the country to shore up its finances and begin to make its economy more efficient.

With this legislation, Congress – and the United States – will show that we stand by those that oppose authoritarian rule. It will show that as a nation, we will step up to help the people of Ukraine not only with our words, but with action.

Ukraine is facing an uncertain economic future, but they are choosing the right path of democracy and reform. The American people will stand with the Ukrainian people as they chart this new course, and today will take a first step to quickly respond to their present need.

Mr. Speaker, this is a critically important bill, and one that should pass the House, the Senate, and be enacted without delay. I urge a “yes” vote.

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