Kean’s Ukraine Funding and Accountability Legislation Passes House
Contact: Dan Scharfenberger
(September 29, 2023) Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Kean’s legislation (H.R.5692) to provide critical military assistance to Ukraine has passed the US House with an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote, 311-117.
The Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act will provide $300 million for the Department of Defense's Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. This legislation also includes key transparency and accountability requirements to ensure taxpayer dollars are being best utilized in the fight against Putin.
"It is in the U.S. interest for Ukraine to win as soon as possible," said Congressman Kean. "The Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative has been funded by Congress for years to support Ukraine against Putin’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and subsequent war in the Donbas. Now more than ever, Ukraine needs our help and I'm pleased that my colleagues agree with me."
Watch his House floor speech HERE and read his remarks below.
Victory in Ukraine will also show America’s enemies the price they would pay for future unprovoked aggression is too high. It will deter Putin from setting his sights on a NATO ally next. And it will signal to Xi the free world is willing and able to show resolve in the case of Taiwan.
With what amounts to just around 5% of last year’s defense budget, U.S. security assistance to Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began has helped Ukraine seriously degrade Russia’s military without putting one U.S. troop in harm’s way.
We must demand President Biden send weapons to Ukraine at the speed of relevance. And we also must fully utilize the available security assistance authorities to support Ukraine’s victory – not defund them.
While supporting Ukraine, Congress must ensure that all U.S. assistance is accounted for given every taxpayer dollar is precious.
It is in the U.S. interest for Ukraine to win as soon as possible. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting my bill to ensure the $300 million for DoD’s Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative becomes law.
###