Dear Friends,

I recently returned from leading a bipartisan delegation to Poland and Ukraine, where I was joined by two of my colleagues on the House Intelligence Committee: Ranking Member Mike Turner from Ohio and Rep. Eric Swalwell from California. The purpose of the trip was to send the unmistakable signal that there is vast bipartisan support for Ukraine in Congress.

The delegation began in Warsaw, where we met with Embassy Officials and received military and defense briefings to better understand the situation on the ground. We then traveled to Rzeszow, a Polish city near the Ukrainian border. Russia’s invasion has, of course, been absolutely devastating for the people of Ukraine, but these conversations made clear that they are not the only ones affected.

The war has sown strife and discord throughout the region, and people who have lived peacefully for decades are now existing in the shadow of an authoritarian invasion just next door. Despite this tension, Poland has opened its arms to Ukrainian refugees, and the government has offered billions of dollars in humanitarian and military aid. We met with some of the leaders of this effort to thank them for their work, and to confirm that the United States continues to stand with their cause. We also met with the 101st Airborne to see their efforts facilitating the flow of arms and resources to Ukraine. I particularly enjoyed talking with two soldiers from Connecticut, one of whom is from the 4th District.

From Rzeszow, we took an overnight train to Kyiv. I was deeply honored to meet with President Zelenskyy and other government officials, who have valiantly led their people through this perilous time. From afar, Americans have admired President Zelenskyy’s bravery, along with his diplomacy as he navigates the domestic and international turmoil brought on by the invasion. He was no less impressive in person, and emphasized that our visit was a “bold step that demonstrates strong bicameral and bipartisan support for Ukraine. It confirms that the United States is our strategic partner.” I could not agree more with these words. There is no substitute for meeting face to face, and being there in person allowed us to fully reaffirm the strength of our support.

The Ukrainian people are fighting a battle not just for their own land, but for democracy everywhere. They are winning this war, but they still need our help. For morality, as well as global security, we must continue to provide the aid necessary to defeat Putin, hold Russia accountable, and restore a free and stable Ukraine.

Sincerely,

Jim