WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Tuesday released the following statement after the Biden-Putin call:

“If Russia decides to move further into Ukraine, it would be a mistake of epic proportions. President Biden made the potential consequences of an invasion abundantly clear, and now it’s up to Congress to back the president up. We should also be working with the administration to strengthen our transatlantic alliances as we raise the cost of action for Putin,” said Murphy. “This week, Congress should pass a Defense Authorization bill that increases security assistance to Ukraine. This would send a key message that we stand with the Ukrainian people and against Russia’s actions. Unfortunately, my Republican colleagues have blocked amendments to the defense bill that would increase security aid, and they are refusing to confirm key national security nominees who work on the Ukraine file because they care more about scoring political points against Biden than protecting innocent people in Ukraine. This is a total abdication of our responsibility as leaders who were elected to further America’s values abroad and protect our own national security.”

Murphy has been blasting Senate Republicans for blocking the Biden administration’s national security nominees.

 

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