Foreign Affairs

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R – Richvale) voted to support Ukraine in their fight against their Russian invaders. The House of Representatives passed the bipartisan S. 3522, the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act, by an overwhelming majority. This legislation will enhance authority the United States has to enter agreements with the Ukraine government to lend or lease military artillery and defense supplies in order to protect Ukraine civilian populations from the ongoing Russian military invasion.

Washington, D.C. – In the wake of increasing violence against Ukrainian civilians by invading Russian forces, Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R – Richvale) voted in support of several pieces of legislation that reaffirms the United States’ support of our ally, Ukraine. On Wednesday, the House passed H.R. 7276, the Ukraine Invasion War Crimes Deterrence and Accountability Act. This bill ensures a coordinated effort by the U.S. to collect evidence to be used to prosecute Russian war crimes in Ukraine. An extensive record-keeping and evidence-tracking system of prior Russian war crimes will hopefully deter future attacks.

Washington, D.C. - Today, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a virtual address to all Members of the United States House and Senate to discuss his country’s efforts in combating their Russian aggressors. This comes one day after President Biden signed a one-time $13.6 billion spending bill providing Ukraine with military and humanitarian aid in their fight against the Russian invasion. Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R – Richvale) voted in support of this legislation when it passed through the House the week prior. $6.5 billion was allocated to the U.S. Department of Defense to deploy troops to the NATO region and send defense equipment, over $4 billion will be used for humanitarian support for refugees fleeing Ukraine and people displaced within the country, and nearly $1.8 billion to help respond to the economic needs in Ukraine and neighboring countries, such as energy and cybersecurity.

Washington, D.C. – Last night, Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) voted against the proposed $1.5 trillion Omnibus spending package. The text of the 2741-page bill was only sent to Members in the early hours of the day before. Members of Congress were previously given an outline of the bill, but not made aware of the specific items or total spending in the legislation. Republicans successfully forced a separate vote on a negotiated Ukraine aid package and the U.S. defense portion of the bill. LaMalfa voted in favor of the separate defense and aid package while opposing the larger spending bill.

Washington, D.C. – Today, President Biden announced a ban on the importation of Russian oil to the United States. Thirteen days since the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine, bipartisan pressure has mounted on the administration to take further action and encourage more American energy production. Despite previously implementing sanctions on Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline, Russia’s Central Banks, President Putin himself and his fellow oligarchs, Biden has held off sanctioning Russian produced oil until now. Yesterday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy formally called on Biden to ban imports of Russian oil.

Washington, D.C. – Today, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a “special military operation” in Ukraine, including launching missiles from Belarus into Ukraine, killing at least 40 Ukrainian soldiers and wounding dozens more. Putin has warned other countries that any attempt to interfere with the Russian action would lead to “consequences they have never seen”, and justified his actions after the U.S. and its allies crossed Russia’s “red line” by expanding the NATO alliance along Russia’s borders. Following this attack, President Biden announced further economic sanctions against Russia that would target Russian banks holding a combined $1 trillion in assets, including VTB Bank. He also stated that the U.S. would impose sanctions on additional Russian oligarchs with links to the Kremlin.