Congressman Bishop Supports Bills to Promote Ukrainian Self-defense and Confiscate Assets Helping Bankroll Russia's Invasion

Statement

Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) supported the approval of S. 3522, the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act, which will improve the efficiency of shipments of weapons systems, ammunition, and military assistance in other forms for Ukraine as it continues to repel Russia's invasion of its territory. Earlier this month, the U.S. Senate passed the bill by unanimous consent. The U.S. House of Representatives approved the bipartisan bill by a vote of 417-10, and it now goes to President Biden for his signature.

"Russia started this war by invading Ukraine, and it made the grievous error of expecting its invasion would be an overnight success. Having faced heroic resistance from the Ukrainian people, Vladimir Putin has resorted to escalating brutality leading to leveled cities, trapped refugees, and murdered civilians," said Congressman Bishop. "This week, I supported two bills that will help the United States support Ukraine's self-defense as well as confiscate the resources of corrupt oligarchs who bankroll Putin's vicious war."

The Lend-Lease bill is a revival of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Lend-Lease policy enacted in March 1941, which helped the Allied Powers win World War II.

Yesterday, Congressman Bishop supported the approval of H.R. 6930, the Asset Seizure for Ukraine Reconstruction Act. The bill puts additional pressure on the Russian Government to end its invasion and war on Ukraine by targeting oligarchs -- individuals whose wealth is derived in part through corrupt links and political support for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

H.R. 6930 would help facilitate the seizure of oligarch assets which could then be used for humanitarian and refugee assistance, to support the free flow of information to Ukraine as well as U.S. government assistance to Ukraine's security forces, and to assist post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. The bill was approved by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 417-8.

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