Larson Condemns McCarthy Turning Down Zelenskyy Joint Meeting of Congress

Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released this statement after it was reported that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy refused a request from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to deliver an address to a joint meeting of Congress during his visit to Washington. It was also reported that McCarthy went further by denying a classified briefing to all members of the House from top military and intelligence officials regarding the situation in Ukraine.  

“President Zelenskyy is leading a country that is fighting for its life, and Speaker McCarthy won’t even allow President Zelenskyy to address the House of Representatives. This is both an insult and shameful,” said Larson. “While House Republicans fight amongst themselves to shut down our government, Speaker McCarthy turned down a classified briefing for House members, underscoring that House Republicans have chosen to ignore the situation on the ground and deprive both the American people and their elected representatives of hearing from Zelenskyy. The world is watching, and I stand today, tomorrow, and always with the people of Ukraine and their fight for freedom. House Republicans like Marjorie Taylor Greene refuse to vote for the defense budget because it contains relief for Ukraine, and they have done an enormous disservice to Ukraine and their struggle. Thank God President Biden will prevail.”