US Rep. describes Ukraine lend-lease act as "insane"
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US Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie Tweeted that Biden’s engagement in lend-lease deals for aid to Ukraine would authorize any weapon transfer except nukes.
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Rep. Thomas Massie (AP)
According to US Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie, the statute authorizing the Biden administration to enter into lend-lease agreements for military equipment with Ukraine and other Eastern European countries allows for the transfer of nearly any weapon except nukes.
On Thursday, Massie Tweeted that the authorization was "insane."
Congress just authorized Biden to transfer virtually any weapon of war, other than a nuclear weapon, to Ukraine. 🤦♂️ Insane!
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) April 28, 2022
Here is the link to the bill and the statutory definition of “defensive article” the bill references. I voted No. pic.twitter.com/dng7yPOCc4
On Friday, the Biden administration requested the US Congress to send $33 billion in emergency additional funding to support Ukraine.
According to the White House, the funding would cover the next five months and would include $500 million in US food production assistance, $3 billion in humanitarian and food assistance, $8.5 billion in economic assistance, and over $20 billion in security and military assistance.
The defense funding will go toward more artillery, anti-armor, anti-air capabilities, and armored vehicles, the White House said, adding that the money will also be invested in a stronger NATO security posture through support for US troops deployed in the region.
Last week, the US President announced an additional $800 million in arms to Kiev.
See this: For the first time, global military spending exceeds $2 trillion
Since the start of the war, the United States has deployed more than 100,000 of its troops to NATO member states, and the European Union also chipped in, sending $500 million worth of arms and equipment to Kiev.
The United Kingdom, before the US, was the latest Western country that announced sending more arms to Ukraine, namely Starstreak missiles, in a package worth some £150 million ($195 million).
