Adam Smith

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chairman, it is one of the great myths of this situation that we don't have a mission. The Biden administration has laid out a very, very clear plan, as I said at the outset, and that plan is to do everything we can to help preserve a sovereign democratic Ukraine without going to war with Russia. That is the administration's plan, and they have made it clear over and over and over again. There are a lot of different people that have different opinions. This amendment does not ask for Joe Wilson's plan. This amendment asks for the White House--the administration's plan, which we already have. If you want to get Joe's plan, he is sitting right there, and I suggest you ask him. The administration has a very clear mission. That mission doesn't have anything to do with regime change or trying Vladimir Putin. These are all things to discuss. The mission in this conflict and the reason we are supporting Ukraine is to preserve a sovereign democratic Ukraine, which means helping them take back as much of their territory that they can. How much they can take back is hard to say. We are supporting them and because we supported them, there is a sovereign democratic Ukraine. We are also at the same time having conversations with Ukraine and trying to have conversations with Russia about getting to the peace table. Right now Vladimir Putin isn't willing to do that. He wants to destroy Ukraine. We are helping Ukraine protect themselves. The mission is clear. Using this excuse of a report to cut off the funds for the mission is not the right approach. You can disagree with the mission if you want. I understand that. It is a democracy, and we can have that conversation, but let's please stop saying that there isn't clarity. There is absolute clarity. President Biden, Jake Sullivan, Chairman Milley, and Secretary Austin have said over and over and over again that we are helping Ukraine defend itself so we can preserve a sovereign democratic Ukraine and stop Russia from wiping them off the map. That is the mission. Thus far, it has been successful. We want to help them retake more territory. Mr. Chairman, I urge opposition to this amendment.

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. McClellan).

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Alabama (Ms. Sewell).

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chair, let's be clear. There is no money in the authorizing bill for Afghanistan, so the gentleman's worries are misplaced. In fact, if he wasn't bringing up this amendment, we wouldn't even be talking about it. So that last little bit there was completely wrong, totally confusing, some big, impassioned plea about how dare we pass an authorizing act that funds the Taliban. I assure all Members there is no money in this bill for funding the Taliban. This amendment has got nothing to do with the authorizing bill. It goes way beyond that. We are not doing what the sponsor of this amendment just said we are doing. I don't know. Maybe he wishes to withdraw the amendment at this point since it is pointless to his argument, but I just want to be clear to the Members who will have to vote on this, it is not in the bill. This amendment has nothing to do with that.

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Crow).

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chair, I yield the balance of my time to Mr. Crow.

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Khanna), who is the ranking member of the Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation Subcommittee.

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chairman, first of all, amen to Mr. Gallagher's comments. I appreciate that impassioned speech. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Kim), who is the ranking member on the Military Personnel Subcommittee.

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Norcross), the ranking member on the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee.

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chair, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Garamendi), the ranking member of the Readiness Subcommittee.

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney), the ranking member on the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chair, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Ryan), the vice ranking member of the full committee.

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I understand we have one speaker on the way, but they can catch the next one. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chair, I would inquire if the gentleman has more speakers. I will continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I once again urge support for this en bloc amendment and thank the Rules Committee for putting it together. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chair, I once again urge adoption of en bloc package No. 5, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Moulton), who is the ranking member on the Strategic Forces Subcommittee.

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I have no additional speakers either so, once again, I will urge support for the en bloc amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.