McCaul sponsors legislation to support Ukraine against Russia

Ukraine would receive military and diplomatic support from the United States to combat Russia’s destabilizing military buildup at its borders under legislation sponsored on Jan. 10 by U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX).

“Vladimir Putin must take note that Congress will not stand for the reconstitution of Russia’s sphere of influence nor the abandonment of Ukraine and our other NATO allies and partners in Central and Eastern Europe,” said Rep. McCaul, ranking member of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee.

The Guaranteeing Ukrainian Autonomy by Reinforcing its Defense (GUARD) Act of 2022, H.R. 6367, also would hold Putin accountable for his aggression by sanctioning the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to stop it from ever becoming operational, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. McCaul’s staff.

“Diplomacy has little chance of success unless approached from a position of strength – yet the Biden administration has been much too slow in sending additional military assistance to Ukraine and has capitulated on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline,” said Rep. McCaul. “This legislation firmly rejects this pattern of weakness that has dangerously emboldened Putin by immediately providing Ukraine with the support it needs to ensure the Kremlin understands a further invasion of Ukraine would come at a terrible cost.”

Rep. McCaul introduced H.R. 6367 with nine Republican original cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Mike Turner (R-OH), Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), Ann Wagner (R-MO), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA). 

If enacted, the bill would “significantly and immediately increase military support” for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, including funding for weaponry and training, according to Rep. McCaul’s bill summary, and would authorize $155 million for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty to combat Russian disinformation and information operations in the former Soviet Union for 2022.

Among several other provisions, the bill also would designate Ukraine as a “NATO Plus” country to ensure consideration of the sale of a range of U.S. defense articles and services, and establish stronger congressional oversight over the Biden administration’s use of Russia sanctions, the summary says.

“Congress must act swiftly to support Ukraine and that is why I am supporting the GUARD Act,” added Rep. Turner, who serves as the lead Republican on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. “We must stand up against authoritarian regimes, like Russia, while strengthening those who stand for democracy.”