Escobar Calls for 'Protecting Democracy' and for Speaker Johnson to Sign Ukraine Funding Bill

Texas Representative Veronica Escobar (D) renewed calls for Speaker Mike Johnson to sign the Senate’s package for Ukrainian funding.

“Today marks two years since the illegal & unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by Putin. Protecting our ally is protecting democracy worldwide. After meeting with @ZelenskyyUa last week, I'm renewing my calls for @SpeakerJohnson to bring the senate national security bill for a vote,” said Rep. Escobar.

The Senate released a bill for Ukrainian funding, yet Speaker Mike Johnson has not signed the bill and has consistently done nothing in his tenure as speaker. Johnson has received large amounts of criticism and Ukraine still needs funding as they fight off Putin’s troops and forces.

“‘The best path forward to support Ukraine’ is to bring the national security supplemental to the floor immediately. @SpeakerJohnson must get serious about standing with our allies and against dictators like Putin,” stated the congresswoman.

Escobar recently met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy who, along with his country, is currently facing attacks from the Russian dictator.

“Less than a day after the death of Alexei Navalny at the hands of Putin and the fall of the Ukrainian village of Avdiivka, meeting with @ZelenskyyUa was inspiring and moving. @SpeakerJohnson must understand that the world is watching and counting on us,” said Escobar regarding the death and Ukraine funding.

Vladimir Putin has dug himself into even deeper scrutiny after the backlash stemming from Alexei Navalny’s death that occurred in a Russian prison. Navalny, an outspoken critic of Putin, had been detained in Russia on several charges and was serving a 19-year sentence. However, many believed that that 19-year sentence was really a life sentence.

After Navalny’s death, many, including his widow, called for transparency regarding the circumstances of his death and the location of his body.

“But if this is true, I want Putin and everyone around Putin, Putin’s friends, his government, to know that they will bear responsibility for what they did to our country, to my family and to my husband. And this day will come very soon,” stated Navalny’s widow, Yulia Navalnaya.

However, since Navalnaya’s statement, Navalny’s mother has stated she has seen her son’s body.