Graham, Blumenthal Introduce Stand With Ukraine Act

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) were joined by U.S. Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pennsylvania-01), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio-09), Joe Wilson (R-South Carolina-02) and Mike Quigley (D-Illinois-05) in introducing a bill to endorse the ten-year bilateral security agreement between the United States and Ukraine and affirm the United States' commitment to the freedom and security of Ukraine, called the Stand With Ukraine Act.

"This legislation supports Ukraine in a variety of ways, sending a clear signal to brave Ukrainian fighters that we stand with them. It also states plainly that we will not give in to Russian aggression," said Graham. "I was glad to work with Senator Blumenthal on this legislation and I appreciate my colleagues Representatives Fitzpatrick, Kaptur, Wilson and Quigley for leading this effort in the House."

"We're sending a message to the world that the United States will stand with Ukraine-that their fight is our fight, and both their freedom and ours are at stake. After my sixth visit to Kyiv and Ukraine's Kursk invasion, I'm convinced more than ever that we must solidify a strategic partnership with Ukraine and provide Congressional approval of the bilateral security agreement," said Blumenthal. "Bipartisan support for Ukraine is critical to building on its military successes and maintaining momentum in the fight against Putin's murderous invasion. The Stand With Ukraine Act gives Ukraine access to the weapons needed to defend itself against Russian atrocities and savagery and solidifies a strategic partnership that will have tremendous economic benefits to the United States."

"The policy of the United States toward Ukraine must be clear and firm: we will always stand with our friend and ally as they fight against Putin's unprovoked assault on Ukraine's sovereignty and liberty," said Fitzpatrick, Co-Chair of the Ukraine Caucus. "The bipartisan Stand with Ukraine Act will further bolster the security, diplomatic, and economic partnerships the United States already has with Ukraine. Equally important, this legislation lays out a bold path for peace, stability, and reconstruction in Ukraine. I am grateful to my House and Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their support, and I strongly encourage every Member of Congress to join us in advancing this critical national security mission."

"By invading Ukraine, the tyrant Vladimir Putin intended to steal Ukraine's sovereignty and the Liberty of the Ukrainian people. Through the bravery of the Ukrainian people and American leadership, Russia's illegal war has had the opposite effect," said Kaptur. "Ukraine has stood strong and NATO has never been more united. The Stand with Ukraine Act ensures that America's commitment to our bilateral security partnership with the democratic state of Ukraine is iron clad. Through our collaboration with the Ukrainian people we ensure that our two nations send a clear message to Putin that we will remain unrelenting in our defense of Liberty and the freedom of the Ukrainian and her people."

Background:

• Blumenthal and Graham recently returned from their sixth visit to Ukraine, where they met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other national and military leaders.

• The Stand with Ukraine Act treats Ukraine as a major non-NATO ally, providing expanded defense article transfers and security cooperation without any new security commitments.

• The legislation also creates a framework to provide consistent support for Ukraine's security capabilities, including prioritizing excess defense article transfers to Ukraine and reauthorizing the Ukraine Democracy Lend-Lease Program.

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