February, 24 2022, 12:23pm EDT
Rep. Jamaal Bowman Issues Statement Following Russian Invasion of Ukraine
Today, Congressman Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D. (NY-16) issued the following statement after Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale attack on Ukraine.
WASHINGTON
Today, Congressman Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D. (NY-16) issued the following statement after Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale attack on Ukraine.
"We unequivocally stand with the global Ukrainian community, and stand with the Ukrainian government and its peoples. My heart is with them and the world during this unjust, terrifying and painful moment. The unprovoked attack on Ukraine is an indefensible invasion and a violation of international law. I vigorously condemn Russian imperialism and fascism. I am committed to supporting the Biden administration in holding Putin and his oligarchs accountable and in caring for the inevitable refugees who will need the international community to open its doors. Prior to the most recent escalations, Putin's unchecked imperialism in the Donbas region has resulted in more than 14,000 deaths and forced more than 1.5 million to flee their homes," said Congressman Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D. (NY-16).
"The decision to involve the U.S. military in war is the constitutional responsibility of Congress, which is why I recently joined more than 40 of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in reaffirming Congressional War Powers. I applaud President Biden for his commitment not to involve our troops in direct conflict, and urge the international community to avoid further conflict. Our full attention must be to de-escalate, withdraw troops, create a ceasefire and to protect the Ukrainian people from further harm so they may remain safely in their homes and communities. While it is clear Putin is intent on rejecting diplomacy, I urge the Biden administration and the international community to do all it can to create conditions that may require Russia to engage in diplomacy that would result in an immediate ceasefire, at minimum."
Jamaal Anthony Bowman is an American politician and educator serving as the U.S. representative for New York's 16th congressional district since 2021.
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Despite being the only federal agency to never have passed a federal audit, said Jayapal, the Department of Defense "continues to receive huge boosts to funding every year. Our constituents deserve better."
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The vote is expected to take place early next week, and 60 votes are needed to begin debate on the package.
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Jayapal noted that the funding package includes substantive pay raises for service members and new investments in housing, healthcare, childcare, and other support for their families.
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The September 29 attack "destroyed the house of the Syrian al-Shaar family, killing all nine members of the family who were sleeping inside," the report states.
"This is a civilian house, there is no military target in it whatsoever," village mukhtar, or leader, Youssef Jaafar told Amnesty. "It is full of kids. This family is well-known in town."
On October 16, Israel bombed the Nabatieh municipal complex, killing Mayor Ahmad Khalil and 10 other people.
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Survivor Jinane Hijazi told Amnesty: "I've lost everything; my entire family, my parents, my siblings, my daughter. I wish I had died that day too."
As the report notes:
A fragment of the munition found at the site of the attack was analyzed by an Amnesty International weapons expert and based upon its size, shape, and the scalloped edges of the heavy metal casing, identified as most likely a MK-80 series aerial bomb, which would mean it was at least a 500-pound bomb. The United States is the primary supplier of these types of munitions to Israel.
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