WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation and a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after the Senate passed the Ukraine supplemental aid bill to provide emergency military, humanitarian and economic assistance. The bill now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

“The crisis in Ukraine intensifies with each passing day amid Russia’s deadly invasion, underscoring the need to sustain our support for the Ukrainian people as they fight for their freedom. I’m pleased the Senate took overdue action to deliver critical assistance to help Ukrainians protect their people and land. As Russian forces are bearing down across Ukrainian communities, this package delivers urgently needed, sophisticated military supplies to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities. The package also includes essential food, supplies and shelter funding to help Ukrainians fleeing their homes during the largest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II. This package will make a real difference for millions of Ukrainians under siege,” said Shaheen. “I’m pleased this vital aid bill now heads to President Biden’s desk to swiftly be signed into law. The U.S. has a moral obligation to deliver on its promise to Ukraine as it stands on the frontlines of defending democracy against the Kremlin’s campaign of aggression, both in Europe and around the world.”

Shaheen, a member of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, leads action in the U.S. Senate in support of Ukraine in response to Vladimir Putin’s belligerence, which also threatens the stability and security of Eastern Europe and NATO allies. Shaheen recently led a bipartisan congressional delegation with Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) to the Balkans to convey continued U.S. support for its allies amid Russian aggression against Ukraine and the implications for European security in the region. In addition, legislation co-led by Shaheen to speed up military assistance to Ukraine and Eastern European nations cleared Congress and will soon be signed into law. In April, Shaheen and members of the Senate Ukraine Caucus met with Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, and members of the Ukrainian Parliament. In February, Shaheen led a successful bipartisan effort with Portman to pass a resolution that conveys a renewed and overwhelmingly bipartisan message from the U.S. Senate in fierce support of Ukraine. Earlier this year, Shaheen and Portman led a bipartisan delegation to Ukraine, where they met with President Zelenskyy and members of his administration. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, she supported the inclusion of $13.6 billion in security assistance that was part of government funding legislation signed into law by President Biden. Before the Shaheen-Portman congressional delegation visit to Ukraine in January, Shaheen led a bipartisan group of lawmakers to Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, last June.

Newsletter