WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) released the following statement after House Leadership met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine at the United States Capitol:

“I'm grateful to President Zelenskyy for returning to Washington at such a pivotal moment in Ukraine's defense against Russian authoritarianism. As he reminded us today, the Ukrainian people are fighting with everything they have to preserve their sovereignty and their future.

“House Democrats know that the clock is ticking — and that our national security is directly tied to the fight of the Ukrainian people. But since President Zelenskyy’s last visit, the House Republican Majority has caved to their Pro-Putin Caucus and refused to vote on President Biden’s urgent request for funding to support our ally. 

“We owe it to the children of Ukraine — and to our own children — to stay in this fight. To abandon Ukraine would mean abandoning our most cherished principles and welcoming Putin to NATO’s front door.”