Congressman Cohen Votes for Aid to Ukraine

Press Release

Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) tonight voted for nearly $40 billion in aid to Ukraine, including $8.7 billion to replenish stocks of U.S. equipment sent to the war-ravaged country.

The vote on passage was 368 to 57.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"The Ukrainian people are bravely defending their country against a brutal and unprovoked attack by Russian forces. They need our help. I was pleased to support this supplemental spending to keep Ukraine in the fight defending democracy."

Besides funds for military assistance, the bill provides support for Ukraine and affected surrounding countries such as NATO's eastern flank; money to support refugee programs and protections; funds to help seize, retain and sell forfeited property such as the yachts of Russian oligarchs; and much more.

The included items are below and the full text of the bill is here.

$67 million for Department of Justice General Administration to help cover the costs of seizing, retaining, and selling forfeited property (e.g., the yachts of Russian oligarchs) related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine;
Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative -- $6 billion to provide assistance, including training, equipment, weapons, logistics support, supplies and services, salaries and stipends, sustainment, and intelligence support to the military and national security forces of Ukraine;
Replenishment of U.S. stocks -- $8.7 billion to replenish US stocks of equipment sent to Ukraine through drawdown authority;
European Command Operations -- $3.9 billion for mission support, intelligence support, hardship pay for troops deployed to the region, and equipment including a Patriot battery;
Defense Production Act -- $600 million to mitigate industrial base constraints for faster missile production and expanded domestic capacity of strategic and critical minerals;
Nuclear Regulatory Commission -- $2 million for technical and regulatory support to Ukraine's nuclear regulatory agency;
Administration for Children and Families -- $900 million to provide refugee support services, such as housing, English language classes, trauma and support services for arrivals and refugees from Ukraine.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- $54 million to provide medical support, screening, and related public health activities for arrivals and refugees from Ukraine;
$350 million for Migration and Refugee Assistance to provide humanitarian support for refugee outflows from Ukraine;
$4 billion for the Foreign Military Financing Program to provide additional support for Ukraine and countries affected by the situation in Ukraine, including NATO Eastern flank countries;
$8.766 billion for the Economic Support Fund to respond to emergent needs in Ukraine, provide needed budget support to assist with Ukraine's continuity of government, and counter human trafficking;
$190 million for Diplomatic Programs for diplomatic support and the planned return to the Embassy in Kyiv as well as supporting the operations of other Embassies in the region; and
Department of the Treasury -- $52 million for special agents and associated support to trace Russian financial activities including digital asset tracing, attribution of concealed efforts, and identifying true beneficial ownership.

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