Congressman Derrick Van Orden | Official U.S. House headshot
Congressman Derrick Van Orden | Official U.S. House headshot
WASHINGTON, DC - Ahead of the House of Representatives’ vote on the Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act, Rep. Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) emphasized the need for a strategic exit plan and support for American troops before providing additional aid to Ukraine.
Van Orden, a former U.S. Navy SEAL with extensive experience defending America in combat zones abroad, expressed his concerns about the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. He highlighted Russian President Vladimir Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine and condemned his display of international aggression.
"As a U.S. Navy SEAL, I spent years defending America in combat zones abroad. I am proud to be banned from Russia after working on the counter-Russian problem set since 2009 with Special Operations Command Europe," said Rep. Van Orden. "War criminal Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is illegal, and his despicable display of international aggression cannot go unchecked."
However, Rep. Van Orden raised concerns about sending US tax dollars to Ukraine while American troops may not receive their paychecks this month. He drew attention to the significant amount of aid already provided to Ukraine, including over $113 billion in security and humanitarian assistance, with $1 billion in cash. Rep. Van Orden criticized the poor oversight that accompanied this aid and called for more accountability.
"Before we provide more unconstrained funding to Ukraine, we need a strategic exit plan with quantifiable metrics from President Biden – and we need to look out for our troops first," emphasized Rep. Van Orden.
The House of Representatives' vote on the Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act will determine the future allocation of aid to Ukraine. Rep. Van Orden's statement serves as a reminder of the importance of considering the well-being of American troops and the need for a clear plan before providing additional funding to Ukraine.
For more information on the aid provided to Ukraine, click here.
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