Ukraine-Born Democratic Congressman Eugene Vindman Re-Elected

From the editors: Below is a statement by Ukraine-born Virginia Congressman Eugene Vindman about his re-election following the US midterm elections on Nov. 3, which he shared with supporters by e-mail. Tonight, for the second time, the people of Virginia’s Seventh District have placed their trust in me to represent them in Congress.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. I am overwhelmed with gratitude. This has been a true grassroots campaign, powered by people like you, and I would not be here if it weren’t for this team. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. As you may know, I was born in Soviet Ukraine, in a country where freedom was limited, corruption was rampant, and ordinary people had little say over their futures. When I was four years old, my father made the courageous decision to bring our family to America because he believed my brothers and I would have a chance at a better life. We arrived at JFK Airport with less than $800 to our name. We had so little that my brothers and I spent our first night in America sleeping on our luggage at the airport. His first job was earning just $20 a day hauling furniture. Eventually, he landed a union job. And the wages, health care, and benefits he earned became our family’s ticket to the middle class. I want to ensure that every American has access to that type of job today. I grew up in a patriotic immigrant family and felt a deep responsibility to give something back to the country that had given our family so much. It’s why I served 25 years in the United States Army. Other Topics of Interest Israel’s Chemical Weapons Warning Splits US Officials Israeli warnings about Iranian chemical weapons have prompted concern and skepticism as Washington and Tehran pursue talks. Then, two years ago, the people of Virginia’s Seventh District gave me another extraordinary opportunity: the chance to serve them in the United States Congress. When I first took office, I brought with me the same commitment to service that guided my 25 years in uniform. And over these past two years, I’ve worked to turn that commitment into results for the people. We’ve taken on powerful utility companies, fought to lower grocery costs, and pushed to crack down on corruption in Washington. And we’ve worked across the aisle to expand affordable housing and support our military families. And I’m not finished fighting. Because right now, hardworking Americans are still getting squeezed by rising costs. Groceries, electricity, housing, gas – everything is getting more expensive. And President Trump’s reckless war of choice in Iran has only made matters worse, driving up prices while costing American lives and billions in taxpayer dollars. And through it all, we’ve watched a Republican Congress rubber-stamp this administration’s chaos, cruelty, and corruption. Well, I’ve got news for Donald Trump: Congress has a constitutional responsibility to hold this president accountable. And I intend to do my job. Tonight’s election is a historic rebuke to Donald Trump and an administration that has acted as though it is above the law. The most corrupt administration in this country’s history. We’re turning the page on a decade of chaos and division and ushering in a new day in America. A new day where we restore trust in government, bring civility back to our politics, and give the American people confidence that their democracy works for them. And we’re just getting started. As we return to Washington, I will continue fighting for a Congress that exercises its constitutional authority, demands transparency from the Trump administration, and makes clear that no president is above the law. So tonight, let’s celebrate this extraordinary moment together. And tomorrow, let’s get back to work. Thank you, Eugene Vindman Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 90% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.