WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18) voted in favor of legislation to provide desperately-needed aid to the Ukrainians standing for democracy and to end American imports of Russian energy, choking off funding for Vladmir Putin’s war machine.

“Talk about trying to have your cake and eat it too.  Sending military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine but still filling Putin’s coffers by buying oil is hypocritical, stupid and a waste of taxpayer dollars.  The United States needs to pick a side. 

“I know which side I’m on.  Two weeks ago, I met a Ukrainian soldier, Andrii, at Prosthetic and Orthotic Associates in Orlando.  He had lost his leg in combat, but he was heading back to Zhytomyr to defend his country against invasion.  I’ll never forget the resilience and determination in his eyes.

“People of Ukraine are lions, not lambs, and they are on the frontlines - literally - of the fight for freedom and democracy in the world.  The U.S. needs to stand with them in that fight."

Rep. Mast voted in favor of Division 1 of the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 2471, which included robust investment to modernize our military, funding for Israel’s Iron Dome and $13.6 billion in emergency aid to Ukraine.  He also voted in favor of H.R. 6968, to prohibit the importation of energy products of the Russian Federation. 

 

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