Brad's Newsletter

Here at home, and around the world, we all still watch with horror as Vladimir Putin continues his unprovoked, genocidal assault on Ukraine. Over the weekend I attended two local vigils in solitarily with Ukraine, and everywhere I went, people asked me how we can help the Ukrainian people resist the Russian onslaught. Congress and the Biden Administration have been working nonstop to provide assistance to Ukrainian defense forces and humanitarian support to the Ukrainian people. Tomorrow, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will address the full U.S. Congress in a video session.

As I write this newsletter, President Biden has announced more sanctions against Russia, including a ban on Russian oil imports. More on that in a moment.

Let me start with sharing my solidarity with, and profound respect and sympathy for, the people of Ukraine. America and the world stand with the people of Ukraine. Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine is not just an unprovoked, illegal invasion of a sovereign country, but a blatant attack on the world order—an affront to every nation that respects international law and national self-determination. Additional sanctions must directly target Vladimir Putin, Russian elites, the Russian military and the country's financial institutions.

First, I hope you had a nice Presidents Day weekend. I am actually writing to you this week from Jerusalem, where I am part of a congressional trip to Israel and the Palestinian territories. I will write more next week about what I am sure will be a remarkable trip.

Forgive me for not writing last week. Unfortunately, last Tuesday I tested positive for COVID-19 and have been isolating since then in my apartment in Washington. Thankfully, I have experienced only mild symptoms and am able to effectively work virtually from home. And I am grateful to everyone who has reached out to wish me well.

Cold air, snow on the ground and gray skies. It must be Chicago in winter. I hope you and your loved ones are staying warm despite the single-digit temperatures this week. At least there is good news that we may have started to turn the corner on omicron. But don't let down your guard. Remember the peak is the middle of the wave, not the end.

This week, our nation honored the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who challenged us to see that "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Though I was only a toddler when Dr. King famously spoke on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, his "Dream" has inspired me throughout my life. Shortly after that speech, our nation passed the Voting Rights Act.

Congress kicked off the second session of the 117th Congress this week. I am excited to be back in Washington with the House voting on, among other bills, legislation to expand post-9/11 GI Bill educational assistance to reach more servicemembers trying to pay for college or other educational opportunities. In addition to the bills on the floor this week, I am doing everything I can to ensure the John Lewis Voting Rights Act gets to President Biden's desk as soon as possible.