Pelosi Floor Speech After President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Virtual Address to All Members of Congress

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi delivered remarks on the Floor of the House of Representatives after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Virtual Address to all Members of Congress. Below are the Speaker's remarks:

Speaker Pelosi. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, this morning, Members of Congress – Democrats and Republicans, House and Senate – had the high privilege and distinct honor of hearing directly from the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In the face of Russia's cruel and unprovoked invasion, the President's fearless, heroic leadership has rallied his nation and inspired the entire world. And our Members were very moved by his powerful remarks today – as well as the heart-wrenching footage he shared showing Putin's inhumane terror, brutally committing war crimes against children.

As President Zelenskyy said: ‘Right now, the destiny of our country is being decided. Russia has attacked not just us, not just our land, not just our cities.' He went on to: ‘A brutal offensive against our values – basic human values.'

Indeed, all are in awe of the extraordinary courage and determination of the Ukrainian people, as they defend democracy not only at home but democracy in the world.

It's with great respect for the people – and in recognition of the grave threat that Russian aggression poses to the free world – that Congress secured $13.6 billion in humanitarian, security and economic assistance for Ukraine in the government funding into law that President Biden signed yesterday.

But more needs to be done for the refugees, for the protection of the people – and I hope that all of this can be done in a bipartisan way. And so, I join my colleagues in saluting the people of Ukraine.

Slava Ukraini! That means ‘glory to Ukraine.' Glory to the heroes of Ukraine.

And with that, Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that proceedings during the address of President Zelenskyy of Ukraine held in the Capitol Visitor's Center Auditorium on March 16, 2022 – this morning – be printed in the record. And with that, I yield back my time.