On Wednesday, I was grateful for the opportunity to sit down for a fireside chat with Chicago Reader Food Writer, Mike Sula, as part of the Food Tank Chicago Summit, about the successes and progress made by food workers and organizations in Chicago and throughout Illinois to end food insecurity and hunger. Over the past few months, food banks and pantries have seen a steep increase in the number of people in need of food to feed themselves and their families. However, due in part to the rise in cost of food and other basic items, food banks have found themselves with a limited supply, leaving them in the unthinkable situation of having to reduce the amount of food given out, or even having to turn away hungry families entirely.

As the Chairman of the House Oversight Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy, I have also spearheaded congressional investigations into potential predatory practices used by meat packing and shipping companies, who have seen profits soar while American families and consumers struggle to feed their families. While prices have finally begun to come back down in recent weeks, I will continue to press for more assistance to make sure everyone in our district, state and country have enough to eat for themselves and their families.

This week marked six months since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his unjust and immoral invasion of Ukraine. Since that fateful day, much has happened as a result, including a global energy and food crisis, the strengthening and growth of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization alliance (NATO), and tens of thousands of casualties, many of whom were civilians. While the last six months have been extremely difficult for the people of Ukraine, the nation once again reminded the world of its commitment to fighting for its freedom by celebrating its 31^st Independence Day on Wednesday. Just like in 1991, the people of Ukraine are committed to ridding themselves of an autocratic occupation, but they cannot do it alone.

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of joining the Illinois Division of the Ukraine Congress Committee of America in Chicago for its Independence Day celebration to show my continued and unwavering support for the people of Ukraine. Since the beginning of the invasion, I have been proud to stand on the side of freedom and democracy against tyranny and fear. But words can only go so far, which is why I have been steadfast in my calls for more U.S. supplies and aid to be sent to Ukraine. Back in July, the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act, which included a provision I authored with Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) that would require the U.S. government to determine how best to track and monitor supplies sent by the U.S. to Ukraine in order to minimize waste and maximize the impact of our contributions. International aid must continue to flow to Ukraine in order to make sure its people have the supplies and means to achieve victory in what has become a war of survival.

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