Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) voted to pass additional funding that will help Ukraine continue to resist Russia’s unprovoked and brutal invasion. The legislation passed by a widely bipartisan margin of 86 to 11, and will deliver significant resources in the months ahead to strengthen Ukrainian defenses and provide much-needed humanitarian relief for the Ukrainians who are displaced or under siege due to the crimes of Putin’s army.
“When Vladimir Putin ordered an unprovoked invasion of a peaceful, sovereign neighbor, he expected the war would be won in a matter of days – but months later, Ukraine stands strong,” said Senator King. “Putin’s ambitions have been thwarted by the stalwart leadership of President Zelenskyy and the unfailing bravery of the Ukrainian people. But the fight is far from over, as Russia’s forces follow Putin’s war crime playbook by committing atrocities against civilians. The U.S. has stepped up throughout this crisis to provide Ukraine with the tools it needs to defend itself and care for its most vulnerable citizens, and today’s vote will sustain that commitment in the months ahead. We will continue to stand united with our allies and partners to ensure Ukraine can continue to resist Putin’s barbaric attacks.”
Specifically, the legislation would provide military and humanitarian aid including:
- $9.1 billion to restock US equipment sent to Ukraine.
- $6 billion for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative to provide defense equipment, logistics support, and other assistance.
- $3.9 billion for European Command operations.
- $8.77 billion for the State Department’s Economic Support Fund for direct assistance to the Ukrainian government and other affected countries, including $760 million in global food aid.
- $4.35 billion for USAID international disaster assistance for humanitarian needs in Ukraine and other countries, including through emergency food and shelter.
- In addition, it provides $5M in additional funding for Inspector General offices to provide oversight, and requires reports to Congress by the Administration to account for defense items delivered to Ukraine.
As a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Armed Services Committee, and Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Senator King has forcefully condemned Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian sovereignty and called for maximum economic pressure on Vladimir Putin and his oligarch supporters. Earlier this year, King joined a bipartisan Congressional delegation to Poland and Germany where he met with NATO leaders, Ukrainian refugees, and U.S. servicemembers for a first-hand look at the humanitarian crisis and America’s efforts to support Ukrainians. Senator King recently cosponsored a resolution condemning Russia’s unprovoked invasion and calling for an investigation into war crimes, supported almost $14 billion in aid for Ukraine, has advocated for new sanctions against Putin, and called for maximum intelligence sharing with Ukrainian officials.