Reps. Veasey, Krishnamoorthi, And Turner Announce The Bipartisan Supplying Ukraine With Provisions To Protect Against Ongoing Russian Threats (SUPPORT) Act

WASHINGTON – Today, Representatives Marc Veasey (D-TX) of the Committee on Armed Services, Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Mike Turner (R-OH), and Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, announced the Supplying Ukraine with Provisions to Protect against Ongoing Russian Threats (SUPPORT) Act which would require plans for the United States to support a Ukrainian insurgency through both lethal and non-lethal assistance, as well as intelligence sharing, in order to impose grave costs on Russia, should President Putin decide to further invade Ukraine. The bill will also require an intelligence assessment of opportunities for the United States to deter Russian aggression in the "gray zone," which falls between traditional war and peace, by being able to place Russia's gray zone assets at risk. The bill will be formally introduced on Friday.

"I'm proud to lead this bipartisan bill with Reps. Krishnamoorthi and Turner that will give the Ukrainian people the resources they need to deter a Russian invasion and occupation," said Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33). "We must do all we can to hold Putin accountable to protect Ukrainian sovereignty and prevent the loss of life that would come with an invasion."

"With more than 150,000 Russian troops assembled along Ukraine's eastern border and an invasion possible at any moment, it is imperative that the United States stand behind Ukraine's democratic government while also preparing to support the people of Ukraine in the event of further Russian invasion," said Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08). "We must continue to support a diplomatic solution to the crisis. If Russia proceeds to invade Ukraine, however, our bipartisan legislation will ensure that our nation is ready to aid Ukraine's efforts to reassert its sovereignty through supporting a Ukrainian insurgency by providing the essential military and intelligence resources required for it to succeed."

The bill would require the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict to submit a report containing:

• A plan for providing support to a Ukrainian insurgency to include funding, weapons, partner contributions, and intelligence sharing.

In addition, the SUPPORT Act will require the Director of National Intelligence to produce an intelligence community assessment that will include:

• A description of the gray zone assets of Russia;
• Opportunities to hold such gray zone assets at risk to influence Russia's behavior
• The likelihood that holding gray zone assets at risk will affect Russian attempts to use force to change existing borders or undermine the political independence or territorial integrity of any state, including Ukraine

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