U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) today voted in favor of H.R. 5408, the Ukraine Religious Freedom Support Act, bipartisan legislation that stands opposed to Russian’s continued human rights crimes against Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. The bill was approved by the House without objection.

“Ukraine is a bulwark for freedom that continues to stand bravely against the meddling violence of Vladimir Putin’s mafia state,” said Rep. Pascrell, one of Congress’s strongest supporters of Ukraine. “The Ukrainian people must know the American people and our Congress stand beside them. Today the House again reaffirmed our commitment to Ukrainian autonomy. We will never fail to stand against Putin’s autocratic bullying. Ukraine must be allowed to live in peace and independence.”

Rep. Pascrell has long been a vocal opponent of Vladimir Putin’s violations of peace and stability in Ukraine. After Russian troops first violated Ukraine’s sovereignty in March 2014, Pascrell called for Russia’s removal as a member of the G-8 and demanded immediate withdrawal of all Russian forces. He has also taken several steps to ensure U.S. support for our Ukrainian allies in the face of Russian aggression led by Putin. Pascrell has maintained a close relationship with the large Ukrainian-American communities in northern New Jersey, and last year attended an annual Ukrainian flag-raising ceremony in Clifton.