Dear Speaker Johnson,
We find ourselves as a country and society at an inflection point in history. The forces of darkness are on the march and are sensing victory. These forces are led by Vladimir Putin who just days ago, threatened nuclear war and an end to civilization, this shortly after silencing the most influential voice of opposition in the Russian Federation. Putin’s allies and surrogates in Beijing, Tehran, Pyongyang, Damascus, Caracas, Havana and in organizations such Hamas, the Houthi, ISIS and Al Qaeda and elsewhere see the indecision and sense the lack of resolve in the powers of freedom led by the United States. They eagerly now anticipate the possibility of bringing an end to civilization as built by the western democracies and replacing it with political or theological autocracy.
Rarely in history has one individual been in a position to influence history at such a critical juncture. You are in that position now. There is a bill on support for the Ukraine which has been passed in the Senate with bipartisan support that is in your power and authority to bring to the floor of the House for a vote. This bill would pass also with bipartisan support and send a clear signal of support to Ukraine, which is now the frontline of freedom and civilization. It would also send a clear message to our allies that the United States of America is still the “shining city on the hill” that it had been when in the first and second world wars the US stood up for freedom and civilization. It is in your power to secure your place in history.
Sir, this is a binary choice. You can be remembered in history as an insignificant figure who was more interested in protecting his position in government than doing the right thing for US security interests and civilization. Or you can be remembered as an individual who saw the big picture and did the right thing and put yourself in position to be remembered in history. Ukrainians who have sacrificed so much against Russian aggression and brutality now face the prospect of losing the ability to defend their country (and by extension, the West) for want of military, financial and political support which is in our position as the leader of the free world to deliver. Indeed, in your power to deliver.
No one is under the illusion this would be an easy decision for you. But as Speaker you have many responsibilities and priorities. None are more important than this decision. Moreover, it could provide you and your Republican colleagues the opportunity to put a challenge in front of the President. Bring this bill to the floor of the House for a vote. Put it in front of the President for signature and challenge him on national television to bring together the leaders of the world’s democracies to respond to Putin and the axis of disruption that he has assembled with the clear messages that the free peoples of the world will not let the aggression against Ukraine stand. The West resolves to bring its political, military and economic power to bear to protect the frontier of civilization and that the whole world should heed the message that the powers of darkness shall not prevail.
The choice is yours Mr. Speaker. The world is watching. Do not be found wanting.
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