As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues, 8th District Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin is part of a bipartisan group of lawmakers who will put forward legislation “to speed up the delivery of security assistance to Ukraine and leverage American manufacturing to help end Europe’s reliance on Russian oil and gas.”
Slotkin (D-Holly), a former CIA officer and senior Pentagon official, joins Reps. Joe Wilson (R-SC), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Elaine Luria (D-VA), and Liz Cheney (R-WY) in leading the Ukraine Lend-Lease Act, while Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX) is co-leading Slotkin’s American Energy for Europe Act.
The Ukraine Lend-Lease Act would authorize the President to lend or lease military equipment to the Government of Ukraine to bolster its defensive capabilities and streamline that process, while the American Energy for Europe Act would create, among other things, a Department of Energy program to reduce the reliance of European countries on Russian energy supplies.
“During World War II, the U.S. sent billions of dollars worth of aid and military equipment to Russia through the 1941 Lend Lease Act to help them fight back against the Nazi regime – including trucks, tanks, and planes that were built in Michigan,” said Slotkin. “Now, the shoe is on the other foot, and more than anyone the Russians should understand how Lend Lease will support a determined defender against an invading aggressor.”
Earlier Monday, Slotkin tweeted about her experience visiting Ukraine in 2015 when she was a Pentagon official and gave the graduation speech to the first US-trained troops from Ukrainian National Army Academy.
“Today, as I watch the videos out of Ukraine,” said Slotkin, “I think about the new trainees who are now likely leading on the frontlines, and the fearless, determined citizens who have taken up arms to protect their country.”
Both bills are expected to be introduced Tuesday morning.
