(Washington, DC) - Congressman John Carter has landed in Europe with fellow members of the of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, Chairwoman Betty McCollum (MN-04), Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), and Congressman Steve Womack (AR-03).

The representatives released the following statements:

“As Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, I am leading my colleagues on a trip to Germany and Poland to assess the status of Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine and to hear directly from U.S. military officials on what more Congress can do to help the Ukrainian people defend themselves from Russia’s next offensive,” Chair McCollum said. “Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine was unprovoked, unjustified, and has led to countless horrific scenes of civilian casualties. When our delegation is in Poland, we will meet and discuss with Ukrainians about how the U.S. and the European Union can continue to support refugees fleeing the violence. We must remain united with our allies in our commitment to protect our shared democratic values that are under threat from this deadly Russian aggression.”

“We have all seen the horrifying images on the news from the unjust and illegal invasion of Ukraine. This trip will allow me to get a boots on the ground assessment from our military leaders about how Congress can support Ukraine and our NATO allies in the region,” said Rep. Carter. “The United States stands with the Ukrainian people and their valiant fight against Vladimir Putin’s thuggery. There will also be an opportunity to sit down with American troops to make sure they have the resources they need to do their job effectively. I thank Chair McCollum for leading the delegation on what will be a very informative few days.”

“As the Ukrainian people heroically battle for their freedom and sovereignty, the U.S. and our allies have a responsibility to marshal the arms, aid, and sanctions they need to defeat the Russian war machine,” Rep. Kaptur said. “With Putin unleashing hell and slaughtering innocents day by day, the world must recognize this fight for liberty is not one for Ukraine to bear alone. Utilizing what we learn from our partners on the ground, I am committed to bolstering Congress’s approach to helping Ukraine and ending Putin’s reign of terror.”

“We will be on the ground in Poland and Germany to get a tactical understanding of ongoing threats in the region as Russia’s atrocities grow,” said Rep. Womack. “Hearing directly from U.S. military officials, our allies, and Ukrainian survivors will bring greater perspective to how defense appropriations and policy work are supporting America’s security interests and the international community. Dictators like Putin have no regard for civility, human life, or freedom—and the United States, Europe, and NATO must collectively support sovereignty and the Ukrainian people.”

###