Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) voted for the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act, S. 3522, to allow the United States to provide weapons and military supplies to Ukraine and other Eastern European countries impacted by Russia’s invasion without requiring recipients to pay for the equipment up-front. The bill passed the House on a bipartisan basis, 417 to 10, and now heads to the President’s desk for signature. 

“The United States has a responsibility to stand with Ukraine and to help its people defend its sovereignty and its democracy,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “We must ensure Ukrainian forces have the resources they need to defend against Russia’s unprovoked and unconscionable invasion and to protect Ukraine’s civilian population.”

The Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act is based on the Lend-Lease Act from 1941, which provided military assistance to countries fighting against Nazi Germany in World War II.  The Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act allows the U.S. to cut through red tape and deliver urgently needed weapons and military assistance faster. 

Last month, Congresswoman Fletcher voted for the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, H.R. 2471, to provide $13.6 billion in emergency funding for security and humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine.