ICYMI: Shaheen Applauds Inclusion of Her Provision to Safeguard Ukraine Assistance in Committee-Passed Annual Defense Bill

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH),a top member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee and Ranking Member of the U.S. Foreign Relations Committee, applauded the inclusion of her provision that would put up guardrails to prevent the Pentagon from diverting assistance to Ukraine in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)that advanced out of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC). The amendment comes after the Pentagon’smisguided decision to divert vital military aidfor Ukraine last week and eventualreversalby President Trump.
Specifically, Shaheen’s amendment prevents the U.S. Department of Defense from accepting back into stock or diverting equipment that was put on contract for Ukraine under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). The Committee-passed bill also includes Shaheen-authored amendments that allow the continued sharing of U.S. information, intelligence and imagery to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the battlefield and prevent cuts to security cooperation funding for U.S. forces in Europe.
“As Russia continues to pummel Ukraine, it’s absolutely critical that the United States provides Ukraine with the military assistance it has been promised. That’s why it was deeply troubling to see Secretary Hegseth’s unilateral attempt to abruptly halt munitions shipments to Ukraine last week. While the administration ultimately reversed course on this short-sighted decision, it’s clear that Congress needs to establish stronger guardrails to prevent the Secretary from diverting assistance again—Ukrainian lives cannot be vulnerable to short-sighted, unilateral actions.
“I was pleased to see my amendment to prohibit the Pentagon from diverting military aid meant for Ukraine clear the Senate Armed Services Committee with bipartisan support. If we’re going to get Putin to the negotiating table, the United States has to uphold its commitment and deliver the equipment we’ve pledged for Ukraine. We must help Ukraine defend its skies and protect civilians from Russia’s continuous aerial assaults. Congress’ support for Ukraine and a lasting peace remains strong, and I look forward to seeing my provision clear the full Senate and then signed into law by the President.”
The Committee-passed NDAA also includes the following Shaheen-led amendments:
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