Slotkin Introduces Bills to Expedite Security Assistance to Ukraine, Wean European Allies Off Russian Gas and Oil

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As Russia's unprovoked attacks against Ukraine continue, U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (MI-08), a former CIA officer and senior Pentagon official, will introduce the Ukraine Lend-Lease Act and the American Energy for Europe Act to speed up the delivery of security assistance to Ukraine and leverage American manufacturing to help end Europe's reliance on Russian oil and gas.

Slotkin joins Reps. Joe Wilson (SC-02), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Elaine Luria (VA-02), and Liz Cheney (WY) in leading the Ukraine Lend-Lease Act, while Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) is co-leading Slotkin's American Energy for Europe Act.

"When it comes to key national security issues, partisanship should stop at the water's edge. The Ukrainian people have shown incredible bravery in the last few days to protect their country, and I'm pleased that Republicans and Democrats are working together right now to make sure we have their backs," Slotkin said. "Lend Lease programs have an important history in our country, giving the President the authority to provide aid and military equipment to partners fighting back against regimes that have used violence and war against them. During World War II, the U.S. sent billions of dollars worth of aid and military equipment to Russia through the 1941 Lend Lease Act to help them fight back against the Nazi regime – including trucks, tanks, and planes that were built in Michigan. Now, the shoe is on the other foot, and more than anyone the Russians should understand how Lend Lease will support a determined defender against an invading aggressor. I'm leading this legislation to cut through the bureaucratic tape so that we can give the Ukrainians every tool they need to fight back against Putin's unwarranted, unjustified invasion of an independent country. "

"Putin's influence in the world stems mostly from Russia's oil and gas reserves, which our European allies have been too reliant on for far too long. The fastest way to strip Putin's regime of its leverage is to wean our allies off Russian energy sources, and that's exactly what the American Energy for Europe Act will do. By providing our allies with the U.S.-made equipment and materials they need to become energy self-reliant, we bolster our European partners, deal a heavy blow to Putin's influence outside of Russia, and support American workers who manufacture these components."

"In this historic moment, the United States and our allies and partners must respond to Russia's aggression in many ways. Reducing Europe's reliance on Russian energy—now and in the future—is an important part of that effort," Fletcher said. "I am glad to introduce this legislation with Congresswoman Slotkin to help accelerate this effort by making substantial federal investments in a new program at the Department of Energy that will assist our European allies in replacing Russian natural gas, oil, and nuclear supplies with American energy. The American Energy for Europe Act is an important part of our response in this moment, and in securing our energy future."

The Ukraine Lend-Lease Act would:

• Authorize the President to lend or lease military equipment to the Government of Ukraine to bolster its defensive capabilities for FY 2022 and 2023;
• Streamline the processes to provide defense equipment and material support to Ukraine; and
• Require the administration develop procedures to expedite the delivery of equipment to Ukraine to support its defenders.

The American Energy for Europe Act would:

• Create a Department of Energy program to reduce the reliance of European countries on natural gas, petroleum, and nuclear fuel produced in Russia;
• Provide appropriate supplies, equipment, grants, technical assistance, and financing to European allies to help reduce their reliance on Russian energy;
• Require the U.S. Secretary of Energy to only approve projects that promote U.S. manufacturing or rely on resources, materials, or equipment that are developed or produced in the U.S.; and
• Require the Department of Energy to analyze the program's benefits for domestic manufacturers and energy suppliers, as well as assess the change in threats to U.S. domestic energy security —including any improvement in the impacts/risks for consumers, our energy markets, and our economy.