By VICTORITA SPATZ
Representing You
It is appalling to me that some are now suggesting that support for oversight of over $50 billion in aid to Europe – not all which is committed directly to Ukraine – is somehow “pro-Kremlin.” On the contrary, lack of oversight only creates unnecessary risks that can be taken advantage of by our adversaries.
I would go so far as to say that anyone saying accountability is not necessary is “pro-Kremlin” because the only side that benefits from weapons not ending up in the right hands is the Russian side. Whether it’s Ukrainians dying on the battlefield because they run out of ammunition, or false flag attacks using U.S. weapons, only Russia wins when America doesn’t know where its taxpayer-funded support goes.
Proper oversight and streamlined logistic processes will have the following key benefits to Ukraine and the United States:
- Provide assurances for American taxpayers, so our electorate will continue to support aid to Ukraine.
- Improve efficiency and speed of delivery of aid to the frontline.
- Mitigate risks of sabotage by countries like Russia, China, Iran, or others.
These benefits are clear. I am not sure why any of my colleagues would think that Congress being proactive – so we do not have to go searching for our weapons in Syria or Mexico – is somehow a bad idea, considering our increased level of delivery of advanced systems overseas.
Ukraine aid appropriated to date:
March 2022 $13.6 billion package
Earmarked directly for Ukraine:
- $2.9B in direct military aid
- $100M in food assistance
- $30M to integrate Ukraine’s electricity grid with Europe’s
Other:
- $4.2B – Food, healthcare, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, surrounding countries, and displaced Ukrainian refugees
- $3B – U.S. military operations in Europe
- $1.2M – State Department “Assistance to Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia”
- $650M – Foreign Military Financing for Ukraine and surrounding countries
- $647M – Economic Support Fund for Ukraine and surrounding countries
- $550M – Replenish depleted U.S. arms stocks
- $175M – Sanctions and law enforcement
- $125M – U.S. diplomatic activity in Ukraine
May 2022 $40 billion package
Earmarked directly for Ukraine:
- $8.75B – Economic support for the Ukrainian government
- $6B – Arms, supplies, training, and logistics support for the Ukrainian military
Other:
- $10B – Replenish and boost depleted U.S. arms stocks
- $4B – U.S. military operations in Europe
- $5B – Humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and other countries affected by Russia’s invasion (food, shelter, other forms of assistance) via NGOs, administered by USAID
- $4B – Foreign Military Financing (FMF) for the Ukraine and surrounding countries
- $1B – Refugee support for Ukrainians in the United States
- $650M – European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program
- $120M – Law and sanctions enforcement
Victoria Spartz serves as the Republican Congresswoman for Indiana’s Fifth District.