Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024

Floor Speech

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Mr. KEAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 5692, the Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act.

Everyone in this Chamber wants peace in Ukraine as quickly as humanly possible, but there can only be a truly durable peace after Ukraine's victory and after the defeat of Russia's invading forces. Victory in Ukraine will also allow America's enemies to know that the price they will pay for future unprovoked aggression is way too high. It will deter Putin from setting his sights on a NATO ally next, and it will signal to Xi that the free world is willing and able to show resolve in the case of Taiwan.

With what amounts to just 5 percent 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. This is why continued support to Ukraine is in the U.S. best interest.

Unfortunately, President Biden has slow-rolled the provision of critical weapon systems to Ukraine, from HIMARS to F-16s to tanks to longer-range ATACMS. It is not wise statesmanship; it is weakness. This failed policy is prolonging the war.

Mr. Speaker, we must demand President Biden send weapons to Ukraine at the speed of relevance. We must fully utilize the available security assistance authorities to support Ukraine's victory; not defund them.

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.

In fact, President Trump used this same critical funding stream that we are debating today to transfer Javelin antitank missiles to Ukraine, reversing President Obama's failure to do so.

While supporting Ukraine, Congress must ensure that all U.S. assistance is accounted for and every single taxpayer dollar is spent with precision. That is why my bill also includes $20 million for additional oversight of U.S. assistance to Ukraine.

I had the opportunity to speak with President Zelenskyy during his recent trip, and I emphasized the importance of this oversight.

It is also in the U.S. security interest for Ukraine to win as soon as possible, and that is why I am asking my colleagues to join me in supporting my bill to ensure that the $300 million for DOD's Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative becomes law.

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