Katherine Clark Votes To Pass Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act

WALTHAM, MA — Assistant Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Katherine Clark voted Thursday to pass the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act, legislation to more efficiently send defensive equipment and other supplies to Ukraine to support their fight against Russia.

The bipartisan legislation provides the President with the enhanced authority to expedite lend-lease agreements with Ukraine and Eastern European countries and the delivery of defense equipment.

“As the war in Ukraine continues to unfold, killing thousands and displacing millions, it’s critical that the United States continue to support the people of Ukraine in their fight for democracy, Clark said in a statement. “This legislation will ensure that we can deliver desperately needed aid to Ukraine so their government can continue to defend the nation’s sovereignty and protect their people. The United States will not stand by while global peace and democracy are threatened and innocent lives are lost.”

As part of the Arms Export Control Act authority, the President can currently lend and lease defense articles to U.S. partners and allies when it is in the United States’ national security interest. However, bureaucratic barriers and other limitations make these authorities impractical for the current crisis facing Ukraine.

This enhanced lend-lease authority would be specific to Ukraine and Eastern European countries to help remove obstacles to lending defense equipment. It would not create a new program, but would streamline the President’s current authority to lend the defense articles needed by Ukraine and Eastern European countries and expedite the delivery of defense articles to Ukraine.

This enhanced authority would remain in effect through Fiscal Year 2023.