Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024

Floor Speech

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 730, I call up the bill (H.R. 5692) making supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5692, which provides security assistance to Ukraine and funds a special inspector general to oversee these and other funds provided by the American taxpayers.

In 2016, the Ukraine Security Initiative, referred to as USAI, was created in response to increased Russian aggression. These funds, along with the National Guard State Partnership Program with California and other efforts, have transformed the Ukrainian military from a remnant of the Soviet empire to a capable and increasingly Western fighting force.

This funding is not sent directly to Ukraine. Since 2016, these funds have been used to pay for the training U.S. troops provide Ukrainian troops and for U.S.-manufactured weapons we provide to Ukraine.

Yesterday, I supported an amendment preventing the deployment of U.S. troops to Ukraine. This program allows us to train Ukrainian troops so they can defend their own country.

Because of this initiative, the Ukrainian people have degraded the world's third-largest standing army and mobilized a continent against an evil actor.

I was recently in Germany meeting with Ukrainian forces who were headed to the front lines. I met grandfathers who had left their families in order to learn to operate tanks, young adults who had signed up as interpreters, and American troops who are eagerly training the Ukrainian forces.

They were all clear-eyed about their commitment to this fight. General Williams, the commander of the U.S. Army forces in Europe and Africa, said something that stuck with me: While America is giving its precious equipment and support, Ukrainians are giving their blood.

This whole-of-nation effort to repel our common adversary deserves our support.

I agree with my colleagues that the Biden administration needs to define our military objectives in Ukraine. We are and will continue to ask those difficult questions. I believe it is our duty to our constituents.

I also agree that we need enhanced oversight. The funding in this bill will be subject to all the new oversight provisions that are in the fiscal year 2024 Defense appropriations bill. The bill also includes $20 million to fund a new special inspector general to improve end-use monitoring and oversight of taxpayer funds provided to assist Ukraine.

Mr. Speaker, voting for this bill sends a strong message to Putin, Xi, and our partners in Ukraine.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the supplemental appropriations act.

This month, Luke Coffey of the Hudson Institute addressed ``The Top Myths about U.S. Aid to Ukraine,'' revealing: ``Every dollar spent in support of Ukraine is authorized by Congress and used for a specific purpose.''

``As of September 2023, the U.S. has provided Ukraine with $101 billion, or 0.43 percent of America's GDP.''

``The vast majority of this money never leaves the U.S. and instead supports American jobs.''

``There has likely never been more accountability in place for U.S. foreign assistance . . . '' with the U.S. `` . . . Ukraine Oversight Interagency Working Group. More than 160 officials across 20 Federal oversight agencies monitor U.S. aid to Ukraine.''

``According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy's Ukraine aid tracker, total European commitments are now more than double those of the U.S.''

``Russia is China's junior partner. A defeated Russia means a weaker China.''

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said, ``The security of the Indo-Pacific region cannot be separated from European security.''

War criminal Putin started this conflict of dictators with rule of gun, opposing democracies with rule of law, declaring their goal of death to Israel, death to America.

We should support the supplemental for peace through strength in the spirit of Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan: Why not victory?
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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5692, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered.

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