A group of lawmakers recently introduced legislation that seeks to protect vulnerable civilian populations from a Russian military invasion.
U.S. Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) said the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act authorizes the President to enter into lend-lease agreements directly with Ukraine and provide the Ukraine government with military equipment.
“There’s no question weakness is a provocation to authoritarian figures like Vladimir Putin, and the threat of sanctions or financial support for Ukraine will not be enough to deter an invasion,” Cornyn said. “This legislation would allow us to once again serve as the arsenal of democracy and provide Ukraine with lethal weapons against the Russian threat to its sovereignty.”
The bill stipulates enhanced lend-lease authority would be specific to Ukraine as a means of removing obstacles to lending arms to Ukraine, streamlining the President’s current authority to lend the defense articles necessary to defend civilian populations in Ukraine.
“American foreign policy is strongest when Congress and the White House are united in policy and purpose,” Cardin said. “At present, we stand together against Russian aggression towards Ukraine. Our bipartisan bill streamlines the tools available to the President as he works to bolster Ukraine’s defense and protect innocent civilians, in an effort to lessen the likelihood that Russia will use its troops against its neighbor.”
Shaheen said the legislation shows there is bipartisan unity in Congress to provide President Joe Biden with the tools needed to swiftly deliver critical defense capabilities to Ukraine and stand firm against the Kremlin.
“This bill ensures bureaucratic hurdles won’t hinder the administration from acting quickly to provide Ukraine with the tools needed to protect civilians should Putin decide to invade,” she said.