Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued this statement following the Obama Administration’s announcement of support for Ukraine:

“The Administration’s announcement of support for Ukraine is welcome news.  The time to act is now.  Congress has already been working on legislation to impose tough sanctions on Russia to pressure it to end its military aggression and to provide assistance to bolster Ukraine’s new government.  The Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on Ukraine this Thursday to press the Administration on its policies, and what specific legislation it needs to move forward rapidly.  We must place crippling sanctions on Russian high-ranking officials, state-owned banks and commercial enterprises, and key individuals behind the Russian intervention.  Only by forcing Putin to reverse his aggression and by supporting Ukraine in this time of national crisis can we hope to restore peace in the region.”

Note:  The Committee will convene the following hearing Thursday:

What:

Hearing:  “U.S. Foreign Policy Toward Ukraine”

When:

9:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 6

Where:

2172 Rayburn House Office Building 

Witnesses:

Mr. Eric Rubin
Deputy Assistant Secretary
Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs
U.S. Department of State

**Important planning note for press covering hearing**

The hearing will be webcast at foreignaffairs.house.gov.

The hearing room will likely not be able to accommodate all members of the media wishing to cover the hearing from the press viewing area.

Only Congressionally credentialed members of the media will be allowed access to the press viewing area in the committee hearing room and must RSVP to their respective Press Gallery by NOON on Wednesday, March 5.

All television crews must RSVP to the House Radio TV Gallery at 202-225-5214.

Gallery contact information:

House Radio/TV Gallery:  202-225-5214
House Periodical Gallery:  202-225-2941
House Daily Press Gallery:  202-225-3945
Photographer Gallery:  202-224-6548

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