Ukraine-Russian Conflict

Floor Speech

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Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, a lot has been said in the last 48 hours on this floor with regard to the Ukraine-Russian conflict; however, I think there are some things that should be added that maybe can be talked about a little bit more as we try to find the end here. And I hope the Biden administration does not give up at all on trying to negotiate some sort of peace.

First of all, I am going to address Russia. Russia has a very low birthrate now of 1.5. In addition to that, people right now are leaving Russia. I was on the San Diego border about 8 months ago, and at that time just in that region--one of 10 regions along the Mexican border-- the second biggest nationality to cross was Russian. It was recently reported that in the 6-month period ending January, 8,600 Russians entered this country. I would bet because of the war Russian immigration has only increased.

With regard to Ukraine, its birthrate is even lower. Of approximately 180 countries of size in the world, Ukraine has the second-lowest birthrate to South Korea at 1.1 percent. It has recently been reported the United States will accept up to 100,000 Ukrainians in our country. While it is certainly the intent that they return, we all know that many of them don't.

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