House advances bill waiving restrictions on President’s authority to lend-lease military equipment for Ukraine

The House last week advanced the bipartisan Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022 (H.B. 4595), which would temporarily remove some requirements on the president’s authority to loan defense equipment to Ukraine or other Eastern European nations affected by Russia’s invasion.

“I am grateful to have introduced this bipartisan bill to ensure that red tape does not stand in the way of the courageous people of Ukraine as they fight for their families and the sovereignty of their country,” U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), one of the bill’s authors, said. “There is historical precedent for lend-lease dating back to World War II, which was instrumental in defeating Hitler’s Nazi Germany. This war perpetrated by Vladimir Putin against Ukraine has united the world in its resolve against corrupt authoritarians and in admiration for the Ukrainian people. The U.S., along with our valued allies, must continue to supply Ukraine with the military equipment they need to repel this attack, and this legislation expedites and expands that process.”

Wilson was joined in introducing the bill by U.S. Reps. Steve Cohen (D-TN), Liz Cheney (R-WY), Tom Malinowski (D-NJ), Mike Waltz (R-FL) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI). Wilson is the ranking member of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe.

The goal of the bill is to boost Ukraine’s military capabilities and to help it shield its people from the months-long Russian military invasion. While aspects of that invasion have stalled, Russia has shifted focus to the east of the country and continued to pound it with missiles, artillery, tanks and more.

Traditionally, the White House is bound by the Arms Export Control Act. While this act allows the president to lend and lease defense articles to U.S. partners and allies for the national security interest of the U.S., it also comes with a slew of bureaucratic barriers and red tape that slow the process. Supporters of the new legislation argue that makes it impractical for an ongoing crisis like the one facing Ukraine.

“It is imperative that we get Ukraine the munitions and equipment it needs to defend itself,” Cohen said. “They are fighting on behalf of democracy and the free world, and we must help in any way we can. The Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act expedites the delivery of this critical material at a time when it is most needed.”

The legislation is a companion to a version introduced by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) and which advanced through the Senate earlier in April.