Deluzio Statement on House Passage of Essential Security Funding for Ukraine to Fight Back Against Putin’s Invasion

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) voted with Republicans and Democrats to provide $60.8 billion in supplemental funding to replenish American stockpiles and provide support to Ukraine, currently in its third year of fighting against Putin’s war of aggression. The measure passed the House of Representatives 311-112-1. 

The funding for Ukraine is part of a package comprised of four bills, which are to be combined and sent together to the Senate for passage. Three of them together provide about $95 billion in international security assistance, the largest portion of which is slated for Ukraine ($60.8 billion), with additional funding for Israel (including around $9.2 billion for humanitarian needs in places like Gaza) and allies in the Indo-Pacific to address Chinese aggression in the region. The Indo-Pacific funding would also include $3.3 billion to enhance the US submarine industrial base. Congressman Deluzio voted for these three bills. Should any of these bills have failed, the Senate would have likely rejected the incomplete package, thus imperiling passage of each and every component. President Biden has said he will sign the combined measure into law should it reach his desk.

The fourth bill of the package focuses on policies to combat threats posed by China, Russia, and Iran. It includes provisions to allow the President to seize Russian state-owned assets held in the U.S. and use them to support activity in Ukraine; to require the sale of TikTok to a non-adversary owned company; imposes sanctions on Iran, China, Russia, Hamas; and more. Additional details are here. Congressman Deluzio voted for this measure. 

Congressman Deluzio released the following statement on the funding for Ukraine and humanitarian aid after following the vote: 

“I voted for today’s security and humanitarian assistance package today, not because it is perfect, but because inaction would have been worse. The package achieves several urgent, long-overdue priorities critical to America’s national security interests and global leadership. 

“Our friends in Ukraine have seen what it means to have American support. Yet for months now, due to House Republican dysfunction, they have lived in fear that they could go without it.   

"This funding package replenishes domestic stockpiles to support the brave Ukrainian effort to fight back against Putin’s war and imperial ambitions in Europe. It is in the United States’ best interest to stand strong against Putin, help the people of Ukraine defend themselves, and keep the conflict from spreading toward NATO’s borders. I do not want to send Americans to fight in Europe. 

“Second, the package funds essential life-saving aid to help address the dire humanitarian crises in Gaza, Haiti, and elsewhere, while also providing assistance to our democratic ally in Israel. The aid for Israel includes funding for defensive systems like the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Iron Beam missile defense systems. Last week’s Iranian attacks into Israel demonstrated the necessity of funding these defensive systems to save lives. It is imperative that humanitarian aid be prioritized and that the Biden Administration continue to push for the return of Israeli hostages, the protection of civilian lives, and a ceasefire agreement. 

“In order to make sure the humanitarian funding is effective and delivered as Congress intends, we must enforce existing U.S. law to get this funding to the suffering people in Gaza. Section 620I of the Foreign Assistance Act is clear: countries that receive U.S. military aid cannot restrict or block U.S.-backed humanitarian aid. Netanyahu’s government in Israel is no exception, and I urge the Biden Administration to ensure compliance with U.S. and international law. 

“I will continue to work as a member of the House Armed Services Committee to ensure these provisions are enforced. The rule of law is only powerful if it is respected, and to be respected it must be reliably and swiftly enforced. 

“Folks across the globe still look to America as a leader. Today, we emphasize that our word means something to the Ukrainians—and that the United States will support their fight for sovereignty.”

###