The stopgap measure, known as a “continuing resolution,” is needed to avert a partial shutdown of federal agencies that would otherwise begin on Saturday.

It passed 224 votes to 201, largely along party lines, with nine Republicans voting for the measure.

Congressman Joe Sempolinski voted no, as he said he would in his weekly media call. Sempolinski said there’s a big problem with how Congress does budgeting, “We’re not anywhere close to regular order. We’re not anywhere close to how this is supposed to be done. And in this particular case, no House Republicans have been part of this negotiations. This is just Democrats fighting with Democrats and also including some Senate Republicans, arguing about how much to increase spending. They’re not fighting about, ‘Should we keep spending the same, or should we cut spending when we’re in a significant deficit?’ They’re talking about how much to increase spending.”

Top congressional negotiators announced on Tuesday an agreement on a framework for the full-year “omnibus” bill. They did not reveal the amount of money they had agreed on, though it is expected to exceed last year’s $1.5 trillion.

In addition to funding the U.S. government, the package is expected to include aid for Ukraine in its fight against the Russian military and a bill reforming the way the United States certifies presidential elections.

House Republicans object to a full-year bill, saying they would prefer to vote on funding the government early next year when they take majority control of the chamber and will have more power to slash domestic spending.

The panel, “The Path and Obstacles to a Special Tribunal for Ukraine,” will take place online from 1:00 to 2:30, Thursday, July 28.

It will feature leading experts on Ukraine and international criminal tribunals who will discuss how an international tribunal could be established to hold Russia accountable for its invasion of Ukraine and the atrocities being committed.

The panel participants will include Former Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and the Legal Counsel of the United Nations Ambassador Hans Corell; former Chief Prosecutor for the Special Court for Sierra Leone and Global Accountability Network founder David Crane; Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea Ambassador Anton Korynevych; and Ukrainian Bar Association Executive Director Inna Liniova.

Public International Law & Policy Group co-founder Dr. Paul Wiliams will moderate the panel.

The event is free and you’re asked to register in advance to watch the panel. Visit https://www.roberthjackson.org/ for more information.

Representative Tom Reed with Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (MD-05), Rep. Fred Upton (MI-06), Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO), Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Rep. Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Rep. Garret Graves (LA-06), Rep. Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), and Rep. Veronica Escobar (TX-16) in Germany

Congressman Tom Reed expressed concerns over whether Ukraine, the European Union’s “bread basket,” will be able to farm this season and how long their access to gas and oil will hold out.

Reed, speaking in his weekly media call, said he had recently been part of a bipartisan delegation, that traveled to Germany, Denmark, and Poland, including Poland’s border with Ukraine.

He said his concern includes the issue of gas, oil, and food, as we head into the growing season, “If Ukraine is not allowed access to the actual development of their crops, and then distributing those crops through the Black Sea, which is now cut off and under Russian control, you have a tremendous effect to the security of Ukrainian people as well as the European Union, as well as the inflationary impacts on the world food prices that could potentially coming down the pipeline.”

Reed said gas is still flowing from Russia and servicing Ukraine and the European Union, “As Russia controls that valve, very concerned that as this goes and if this lingers, Putin’s war lingers into the winter, we could have a genocide level type of event of a magnitude that’s even beyond the level of genocide that’s occurring here today.”

Reed referred to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a “proxy war” between democracies of the West and Russia and China, saying that the United States needs to make sure our NATO partners know they can rely us.

Congressman Tom Reed will hold a “Farewell” Town Hall meeting tonight from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Kiantone Fire Department located at 2318 Stillwater Frewsburg Road. The event is open to the public.

Tom Reed

Congressman Tom Reed is one 398 members of the U.S. House of Representatives included in a sanctions list by Russia.

Newsweek reported also included on that list is several Republican representatives who have been accused of making comments sympathetic to Russia, such as Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Matt Gaetz of Florida and Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina

The Russian Foreign Ministry said the list of sanctioned members of Congress was a response to the United States placing sanctions on 328 members of the Russian State Duma, the country’s lower house of parliament, on March 24.

No explanation was given for how Russia chose the names for its list. Last week, Greene and Gaetz were two of only three House representatives who voted against banning the import of Russian oil.

The U.S. sanctions on the State Duma members target their property and assets, as well as banning them from dealings with American citizens. Few details were made available about Moscow’s sanctions against American politicians, aside from that they would “mirror” the U.S. measures and ban those on the list from visiting Russia.

Reed issued a statement saying, “We were proud to be on the list of House Members to be officially sanctioned by Russia. Being put on this permanent ‘stop list’ by a dictator like Putin can only be seen as a badge of honor. Watching the atrocities that Putin is committing on a daily basis against the people of Ukraine is heartbreaking, and it must stop. American leadership must project to Russia that we will achieve peace through strength.”

Congressman Tom Reed discusses his thoughts on the federal budget, the January 6 Select Committee, as well as Russia and Ukraine in his weekly media call.

Tom Reed

State Workers Raise Ukrainian flag over State Capitol

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the launch of a new website containing resources offered by New York State and its partners to help Ukrainian people and other refugees in the state.

This follows the Governor’s announcement warning consumers about scams and cybersecurity threats amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

This directive comes amid Governor Hochul’s ongoing efforts to support Ukraine. Recently, the Governor announced an Executive Order to prohibit state agencies and authorities from contracting with entities that continue to do business in Russia. In early March, Governor Hochul announced actions to strengthen the Department of Financial Services‘ enforcement of sanctions against Russia, including the expedited procurement of additional blockchain analytics technology. In February, Governor Hochul ordered all state agencies and authorities to divest public funds from Russia and stop doing business with Russian companies.

Resources available on the website include free support services for immigrants and refugees in New York taste, information on substance abuse and mental health services with support for non-English speakers, and information about humanitarian aid including how to avoid donation scams.

The link to the state’s website is https://www.ny.gov/new-york-state-stands-ukraine-resources-ukrainians-and-how-new-yorkers-can-help

Governor Kathy Hochul announces new executive order further restricting business with Russia

Governor Kathy Hochul has signed a new executive order banning State agencies and public authorities from doing business with companies that have continued to do business in Russia.

Hochul had previously signed an executive order banning state agencies from doing business with Russian companies. She issued this new one Thursday.

New York will also send 100,000 pounds of medical supplies, including masks and gowns, to Ukraine.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine entered its fourth week on Thursday. Several other U.S. states and leaders have taken steps to financially squeeze Russia since the invasion began.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy addresses U.S. Congress

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy requested a “No Fly Zone” over Ukraine in addition to more sanctions on Russia in a virtual address to the U.S. Congress Wednesday.

Zelenskyy thanked President Joe Biden for the relief aid the U.S. has already provided, and added “I call on you to do more, new packages of sanctions are needed constantly every week until the Russian military machine stops.”

Zelenskyy also called for the U.S. to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine, a request the White House has already rejected for fear it would escalate international tension with Russia. In pleading for the no-fly zone, he played a produced video showing dramatic footage of the war’s human toll. The video ended with the words: “close the sky over Ukraine.”

Calling the invasion the worst war since World War Two, Zelenskyy found similarities between what his country has endured during the Russian invasion to the attack on Pearl Harbor and September 11 here in the United States.

Most recently, the Senate passed a resolution on Tuesday night condemning Russian President Putin for committing atrocities and alleged war crimes against the people of Ukraine. Just days ago, Congress approved $14 billion in military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine and is working on legislation to end normal trade relations with Russia.

President Biden, following the remarks, pledged an additional $800 million in military aid bringing the total of support approved this week for Ukraine to $1 billion. That funding will go toward 800 anti-aircraft systems, 9-thousand anti-armor systems, 7-thousand small arms, as well as drones.

Zelenskyy has been directly appealing to lawmakers around the world for help in stopping the Russian invasion of his country, which started less than a month ago. He spoke to members of Congress over Zoom on March 5, and this month he has also addressed the European, British and Canadian parliaments.

Tom Reed

Congressman Tom Reed, who watched Ukrainian President Zelenskyy‘s address, said while he’s not an outright advocate for a “No Fly Zone,” it needs to be part of the “toolbox” in dealing with Russia.

Reed, in his weekly media call, said the video shared by Zelenskyy of what Ukraine is enduring is heartbreaking and powerful. He said when it comes to military fly zone restrictions, he prefers it be done along with our allies, “That we provide resources to the Ukraine for military defensive purposes and that we use our united front of our NATO allies as well as other allies to send a message to Russia, ‘Time for this to de-escalate. Time for this to come to an end. And when you’re killing women and children, you’re not going to be on the right end of history and Putin, you should stop.'”

Reed said the U.S. and Congress can work to tighten up sanctions even further on Russia, especially on oligarchs and people who are part of the support structure for Russian President Vladimir Putin, “When it comes to his supports and his circle of influencers and people who are making billions of dollars, millions of dollars in regards to how they support Putin and the policies coming out of Russia, so that is something to consider. I also agree with potentially some of the additional military aid when it comes to javelins (missiles) and other type of military war fighting capabilities being a resource to partner with our allies to provide those resources.”

Reed emphasized again he’s open to all the “tools in the toolbox” and that if Putin continues on this path and doesn’t take a path to stand down that he needs to understand it’s not going to get better.

Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning)

Congressman Tom Reed touted local projects in the $1.5 trillion omnibus bill passed in the House Wednesday.

The House voted in a bipartisan manner to approve the massive spending package to keep the federal government open along with $13.6 billion in emergency aid for Ukraine.

The Senate approved the package Thursday. The Senate also unanimously approved a four-day stop-gap bill last night that the House has already passed, just in case the omnibus does not receive Biden’s signature in time to avoid a shutdown late today.

Speaking during his weekly media call, Reed said the bill provides nine direct funding lines for water and sewer projects in the district, “For areas like the City of Corning, the town of Cherry Creek, town of Prattsburg, town of Seneca Falls, the village of Portville, the village of Dundee, the village of Mayville, and Elmira College. As well as the ‘Dream It, Do It,’ Western New York job training and placement program that’s in Jamestown.”

Reed said additional funding was negotiated for the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers for operation maintenance of the Barcelona and Dunkirk harbors. He added that the defense provisions added to the omnibus will go a long way to dealing with threats from Russia as well as emerging military threats from China, and elsewhere.

The overall spending package includes a 5.6%, increase in defense spending over current levels, along with 6.7% increase for non-defense spending.

In the aid for Ukraine bill, the humanitarian section includes $4 billion for people displaced within Ukraine and the estimated 2 million people who have fled the country since the war began just two weeks ago. More than $2.5 billion will go to the U.S. Agency for International Development to provide food and health care support. Another $1.4 billion is intended for migration and refugee assistance.

The defense, or lethal aid, section provides $3 billion to support the U.S. military’s European Command and is to be used for “operations mission support, the deployment of personnel to the region, and intelligence support.”

Another $650 million will go to grants or direct loans administered by the Department of Defense Foreign Military Financing. The legislation also gives President Biden the authority to transfer an additional $3 billion in defense equipment to Ukraine and other allies supporting Ukraine.