Houlahan, Chesco Democrat, Goes To Arctic To Learn About Threats

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep Chrissy Houlahan returned Wednesday from a bipartisan trip to Finland and Norway to meet with U.S. Marines and learn and better understand the threats we face and how best to confront them.

The trip occurred amidst Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, which was a central focus of the discussions.

“As President Biden prepares to sign the annual defense bill into law and welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to our nation’s capital, the congressional delegation happened at a pivotal moment for U.S. national security,” Houlahan said Thursday.

On Wednesday night, Zelensky spoke to Congress, thanking the government for supporting Ukraine and asking for financial support.

While Finland’s accession to NATO is pending, Houlahan said she is seeking direct information from allies about VladimirPutin’s aggression.

Houlahan, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said she was thankful to have the partnership of Rep. Mark Green, a Tennessee Republican, whom she previously traveled to Ukraine with just weeks before Russia’s invasion.

“I’ve been a vocal supporter of aid to Ukraine, and, as a veteran, I know that our support should not be split along political lines,” she said.

“The Arctic region is critical to countering Russian and Chinese aggression, which is why it’s imperative that we continue to work together with our allies to ensure peace and prosperity in the region,” Green said.

“Our bipartisan House Armed Services Committee delegation to Finland and Norway participated in key meetings with government officials and our partners in the Arctic Council. It was also imperative for us to hear from those on the ground firsthand the impacts—both short and long term—of the U.S. Coast Guard’s lack of adequate icebreakers.

Others attending were Mikie Sherrill, a New Jersey Democrat, Elissa Slotkin a Michigan Democrat, and Abigail Spanberger, a Virginia Democrat, House Armed Services Committee staff, and official representatives from the U.S. Department of Defense.