WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Pressley (MA-07) issued the following statement on her votes in response to the crisis unfolding in Ukraine.

“Over the last several days, the world has watched in horror as the Ukrainian people suffer due to Putin’s unconscionable and illegal invasion of Ukraine. I continue to call for peace and diplomacy. We must use every tool at our disposal to save lives, avoid further military escalation, and work towards a negotiated solution to the resulting humanitarian crisis.

“Today, I was proud to vote in support of billions of federal funds in lifesaving humanitarian aid and refugee assistance to support the people of Ukraine as part of the domestic spending package that passed the House. This is a humanitarian crisis and the United States must respond with compassion. I also joined my colleagues in voting YES on legislation to ban Russian oil and gas imports, which would help undermine Putin’s war effort and hold him and his regime accountable for their blatant and ongoing human rights abuses. While I remain opposed to broad-based sanctions generally, this targeted energy ban will help save lives. I voted YES in the aim of leveraging every non-military tool available, and this serves as a reminder of the need to free ourselves from fossil fuels and transition to union-powered domestic renewable energy once and for all.

“Our budgets are a reflection of our values, and we have a mandate to center peace, justice and human rights in all of our policymaking. As such, I could not in good conscience support the defense spending package that will continue our nation’s misguided commitment to the military-industrial complex at the expense of much-needed investments in our communities. This bill would also funnel millions to Ukraine for military purposes—resources I fear would only escalate the conflict, exacerbate the humanitarian crisis on the ground, and lead to an even larger catastrophe.

“There is no military solution to this conflict. I continue to center the Ukrainian people and their loved ones, who are facing devastating trauma daily, and encourage the Biden Administration to remain at the negotiating table in pursuit of diplomacy and peace.”

Earlier today, Rep. Pressley issued a statement announcing that she had secured $8,183,218 in Community Project Funding in the appropriations government funding package for 10 projects across the Massachusetts 7^th Congressional District that will make necessary investments to build a more just and equitable district.

###