Rep. Panetta Votes for Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-lease Act

Press Release

Today, U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) voted for the bipartisan Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022. This legislation will ensure that shipments of urgently needed weapons systems, ammunition, and military assistance arrive in Ukrainian hands faster and more efficiently. This Lend-Lease bill is a revival of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Lend-Lease policy enacted in March 1941, which helped win the second World War. The Senate passed the bill by a unanimous vote on April 6th, 2022, and it is headed to President Biden's desk for signature.

"The Ukrainians are righteously repelling the Russian military in its unjust invasion. However, they are also rapidly running out of the ammunition and armaments needed to continue defending their nation," said Rep. Jimmy Panetta. "That's why I voted for this legislation that will provide President Biden with authority to get weapons and ammo into Ukrainian hands as quickly and efficiently as possible so that they can continue to defend their democracy. "

Today's vote follows the passage of government funding legislation earlier this year, which secured $13.6 billion in humanitarian, military and economic assistance for the people of Ukraine. These funds added to the more than $1.4 billion in assistance that the United States has provided to Ukraine since 2021. The U.S. Congress has also taken several key steps to punish and isolate Russia, including the suspension of permanent normal trade relations and a ban on the import of Russian oil and energy products.

Under this bill, an agreement to lend or lease defense articles shall not be subject to certain requirements and provisions that typically apply to such lend-lease agreements, such as:

- A requirement that prohibits a loan period from exceeding five years.
- A requirement that the United States may recall the loaned defense article at any time.
- A requirement that the receiving party has agreed to pay the United States all costs incurred in leasing the defense article.

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