By the time this column hits your inbox, it could very likely be outdated. The crisis unfolding in Ukraine right now changes by the hour, even by the minute; but, the message is of paramount importance.
So, at the risk of speaking to you from the past, I want to drive home how important it is that the United States uphold its mantle as the leader of the free world and defend Ukraine against Moscow’s senseless, brutal attacks.
I had the unique opportunity this week to travel to Europe for an environmental conference. What I didn’t know at the time was that I would find myself at the European Union Parliament, near the NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium when news of Russia bombing Kyiv, Ukraine would break.
The entire world is on edge watching Russia decimate peace in Europe. But the reality of the situation struck me as I watched gas prices skyrocket, the Belgian media outlets tremble, and world leaders coalesce to determine how to hold Russia accountable for these heinous attacks.
It’s no secret that I have been critical of President Biden’s foreign policy. Energy independence is a key facet of our national defense, one that this Administration has been decimating with surgical precision.
Our newfound dependence on Europe for oil and gas placed us in a difficult position – do we sanction Russia’s energy sector, knowing that it will place an even bigger strain on American’s wallets?
This situation, like many foreign policy bungles over the past year, could have been avoided. But President Biden made his decisions, and Putin capitalized on world leaders turning the other cheek when he’s shown aggression, from Chechnya and Georgia to Syria, and is confident that he can divvy up Ukraine as he pleases.
Putin is the enemy of the free world and must be stopped.
Before party, we are Americans. And America has a responsibility to defend freedom. That is why I support Biden’s decision to sanction Russia’s banking industry.
But we have to do more.
Russia is no longer worthy of a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. I joined a resolution with several House colleagues calling for their removal.
We must crush Russia with economic sanctions, including the energy sector. They must be cut off from the free world economically and diplomatically to pay for Putin’s reign of terror.
We must also use this as a moment to recommit to energy independence. A country reliant on dictatorship for energy is unprepared for the worst to happen.
We’re seeing it play out right before our eyes.
President Biden, I am praying for your success. Congress is standing by to support you in helping our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. We have a common goal – peace in Ukraine – and I pray that we can work together to get there.
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In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefings, we are discussing Russia's invasion of Ukraine from an unlikely place - the European Union.
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Monday, February 21, 2022: After flying to Washington, D.C. last Thursday afternoon, I boarded a plane late Thursday and took a red eye flight to Munich, Germany where I joined a bipartisan congressional delegation led by Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) attending the Munich Security Conference. This conference on international security policy started in 1963 and is the world’s largest gathering of its kind with over 70 countries in attendance this year. Friday afternoon, the delegation had a classified briefing by U.S. Army four-star Gen. Stephen Townsend who serves as Commander of the U.S. Africa Command. We also heard from Bill Gates who spoke about the COVID-19 pandemic and how his foundation is on the verge of eradicating Polio worldwide. After meeting with Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of Greece, we met with Vitaliy Klitschko, Mayor of Kyiv and Party Leader of Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reforms. Later, we joined a Democratic delegation led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to hear in-person remarks from Vice President Kamala Harris and telephone remarks from President Joe Biden. Although other topics were discussed, the overwhelming topic of discussion was the Russia-Ukraine situation. Our last meeting on Friday was with Mr. Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations. On Saturday, we attended an American Council on Germany (ACG)/American Institute for Contemporary German Studies (AICGS) program on transatlantic priorities for the Biden-Scholz Era. We also met with Mrs. Julianne Smith, U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO, before meeting with Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of NATO. Throughout the day, word had been spreading that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would be addressing the conference and he spoke during the early afternoon. His plea for help and protection from NATO was resounding and his message of the imminent danger of Russia invading his country was clear. It was a historic moment. Later, we met with Fredrich Merz, Chair of the Christian Democratic Union in Germany, followed by a meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and then a meeting with Mr. Fuad Hissein, Iraq’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. On Sunday, I flew from Munich to Brussels, Belgium where I joined members of the Conservative Climate Caucus for a visit with leaders of the European Union (EU). The EU is made up of 27 European countries and is composed of three institutions, the Council which consists of the heads of state, Commissioners appointed by the Council, and members of the European Parliament (MEP) elected by the people. The purpose of the trip is to share thoughts and initiatives on climate change, learn more about policies and legislation in the U.S. and EU, and understand technologies and issues related to climate. This morning, our first meeting is with two MEP’s, Ms. Jytte Guteland from Sweden, who is a rapporteur (responsible for handling legislative proposals) for European climate law and Mr. Mohamed Chahim from Netherlands, rapporteur for Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Next, we meet with Mr. Pat Holmgren, MEP from Sweden, rapporteur for environment on methane and hydrogen, before meeting with Mr. Jan Huitema, MEP from Netherlands, rapporteur for New Circular Economy Action Plan. Later, we meet with Directorate General (DG) for Climate Action, Yvon Slingenberg, before meeting with DG for Taxation and Customs Union, Mr. Gerassimos Thomas. Our last meeting of the day is with Mr. Virginijus Sinkevicius, Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries.
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Tuesday, February 22, 2022: We are honored this morning to be welcomed to the residence of U.S. Ambassador to Belgium, Michael Adler, for a meeting with him and Belgian energy industry representatives. Next, we meet with DG for Research and Innovation, Ms. Joanna Drake, before meeting with Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth. After a meeting with members of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology-Knowledge Innovation Community, we meet with energy industry organizations with WindEurope to discuss how wind energy is being counted on as a major future clean energy source for Europe. Later, we meet with DG for Energy, Ms. Ditte Juul Jorgensen before meeting with MEP and former Romanian President Mr. Traian Basescu. |
Wednesday, February 23, 2022: After traveling to Rotterdam, the Netherlands, last night, we have a boat tour of the impressive Port of Rotterdam this morning. As the largest seaport in Europe and the world’s largest seaport outside of East Asia, it is the world’s tenth-largest container port in terms of twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) handled. With wind turbines abundant throughout the 25-mile port, it also has one of the world’s largest wind turbines, General Electric’s Haliade-X, which can turn out 13 megawatts of power and light up a town of roughly 12,000 inhabitants. Its height can reach up to the 86th floor of the Empire State building and the turning diameter of its rotor is longer than two American football fields end to end. After a cold but great tour, we have a presentation at FutureLand, the welcoming center at the port before heading to the World Horti Center in Naaldwijk, the knowledge and innovation center for international greenhouse horticulture, where they feature sustainable greenhouses, horticulture, CO2 and heat streams. Next, we head to Tomatoworld, an information and education center that displays the value of the Dutch greenhouse horticulture sector and its contribution to the global food challenge. Here they use data driven greenhouses (DDG) that uses and analyzes data that is collected 24/7 to optimize crop-health and production. Afterwards, we head to The Hague for a dinner hosted by US Charge d’Affaires Marja Verloop with members of the Netherlands Parliament, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Dutch MEPs |
Thursday, February 24, 2022: We awaken this morning to the news that Russia has further invaded Ukraine as has been expected for quite some time. An emergency meeting of the European Council has been called in Brussels this afternoon and because of that, our meetings have been cut short.
After a 2-hour bus ride from Rotterdam to Brussels this morning, we head to the European Commission where we meet with Energy Commissioner Ms. Kadri Simson from Estonia as we have a discussion on geopolitics, global energy prices, and natural gas supply.
Next, we head to the European Parliament where we meet with MEP Prof. Zdzislaw Krasnodebski from Poland who is the Vice Chair of EP Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE).
Our final meeting of the day is with Executive Vice President Frans Timmermans, who discusses European Climate Law and European Green Deal. Afterwards, we head to our hotel as the city is being shut down in preparation of the European Council arriving to consider more sanctions against Russia.
Later that night, I join in on a bipartisan member briefing on Ukraine where we hear from Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley.
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Lucy Craft Laney, whose name graces a Black history museum in Augusta, GA, founded the first school for black children in that city. Following her death in 1974, President Jimmy Carter honored her by having her portrait hung in the Georgia State Capitol.
Although she was born a decade before the abolishment of slavery, Laney was born into freedom. But that freedom was not absolute, as it was still illegal for black people to learn to read. Her parents instilled in her a love of learning, so in defiance of the racist law, she learned to read at only four years old.
Laney then went on to graduate with a teaching degree from the first class of Atlanta University, then turned around and founded the Haines Institute for Industrial and Normal Education, where she served 50 years as principal.
She was later inducted into the Georgia Women of Achievement, an honor she more than earned during her selfless career.
To learn more, visit: https://lucycraftlaneymuseum.com/ |
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