Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) has teamed up with Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) to introduce a bipartisan bill bolstering Ukraine's ability to purchase munitions as its war with Russia drags into its fourth year.
What the Bill Does
Specifically, Sen. Kelly's Fast Tracking European Investment in Ukraine's Defense Act amends the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) to preauthorize NATO members to purchase high-volume, low-tech munitions for Ukraine until December 31st, 2030.
Munitions covered under the bill include 155mm artillery shells and Excalibur extended-range shells, High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) munitions, and guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) munitions.
Additionally, the Ukrainian government must provide a written guarantee that it will not transfer any such articles without receiving U.S. consent, and the bill maintains all current end-use monitoring and congressional oversight legal requirements.
Other cosponsors of the bill include Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Alan Armstrong (R-OK), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV).
What Lawmakers are Saying
"Ukraine urgently needs artillery and rockets, but bureaucratic delays are hindering the delivery of critical munitions," said Sen. Kelly in his press release, adding, "Each day we wait strengthens Putin's position. This bipartisan bill creates a faster, clearer pathway to get Ukraine the weapons it needs to protect itself."
Similarly, Sen. Cornyn stated, "Third-party transfers of high-volume munitions have helped Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression while also ensuring our European allies share the cost burden, and it's unfortunate that this valuable tool is often caught in a cumbersome arms export approval process."
"Our commonsense legislation would cut red tape to expedite the process for our allies to purchase and transfer certain munitions to Ukraine so they can continue their fight against Putin's unprovoked invasion, and I'm proud to join Senator Kaine to introduce it," Sen. Cornyn added.
Previous Alliance
Kelly and Cornyn previously worked together in June to introduce a bill reauthorizing and expanding the Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program Act (TAAP), which allows American and Mexican agencies and universities to cooperate in collecting transboundary aquifer data and research on water quality, availability, and other critical information for people on both sides of the border who are using these water sources for drinking, agriculture, and industry.
