WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), Chairman of the National Intelligence Subcommittee of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, released the following statement after traveling to Ukraine and Israel amid two raging wars.

“In my travel to Ukraine, I met with my friend, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In our discussion, I promised I would do whatever necessary to pass our bipartisan bill providing urgently needed military aid to Ukraine and protecting democracy in the region.

As part of my briefings, I also received status updates on the war from Ukrainian military and intelligence officials. The briefings highlighted the need for additional military aid on the frontlines to protect Ukrainian borders against ruthless dictator, Vladimir Putin.

Additional meetings included a discussion with U.S. Ambassador Brink on the role of the U.S. in the region, visiting brave Ukrainian soldiers and veterans, and participating in a public lecture about U.S. Support for Ukraine.

I then visited Israel where I received briefings on operations in Gaza, including meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the role of the U.S. in this war.

While in Israel, I also attended security briefings as part of my role on the Intelligence Committee. These meetings with Israeli defense and intelligence officials provided insights into addressing national security and intelligence-related matters in the region.

Hamas wants to wipe Israel from the face of the earth. Congress has a moral obligation to continue to provide defensive aid to our strongest democratic ally in the Middle East.

The United States must never waver from supporting freedom and democracy throughout the world, period.”

Last week, Rep. Fitzpatrick introduced the bipartisan Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act. Learn more about it here.