Press ReleaseBipartisan2026-07-30

Tillis, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation in Support of Ukrainian Defense

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This press release from Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) was published on 2026-07-30 and titled "Tillis, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation in Support of Ukrainian Defense".

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Tillis, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation in Support of Ukrainian Defense

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tim Kaine (D-VA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Chris Coons (D-DE), Alan Armstrong (R-OK), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Pete Ricketts (R-NE) introduced the bipartisan Fast Tracking European Investment in Ukraine's Defense Act to boost Ukraine's defense by allowing for the more consistent and timely provision of high-volume, low-tech munitions critical to the country's fight against Russian aggression. The legislation would foster greater investment by NATO allies in Ukraine's defense as well as build out the capacity of the U.S. defense industrial base. "As Russia continues it's illegal attack on Ukraine, it's imperative we work alongside NATO to do everything we can to provide Ukraine with the valuable resources they need," said Senator Tillis . "I am proud to join my colleagues in this bipartisan legislation that will help us better support Ukraine in its fight against Putin's authoritarian aggression by ensuring a consistent supply of critical low-tech munitions." "I've been to Ukraine twice - most recently in June - and saw firsthand how critical U.S. investments have been for Ukrainians' defense," said Senator Kaine . "We're currently at a pivotal point in the war - we must keep up the pressure on Russia and show that the democracies of the world continue to stand united against authoritarian regimes. I'm glad to be working with this bipartisan group of senators to boost U.S. and allied support and help ensure our European partners can invest in the swift high-volume production and transfer of urgently-needed low-tech munitions to Ukraine. I'm going to keep urging my colleagues to join us in this important effort." "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," said Senator Cornyn . "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." "Ukraine stands on the front lines of freedom, protecting the world from Putin's aggression," said Senator Coons . "Our European allies have stepped forward, taking on more of the financial burden of investing in Ukraine's defense. We should pass this bill to support our allies' efforts, strengthen our own industrial base, and ensure Ukraine has the weapons it needs to win on the battlefield." "Ukraine's ability to defend itself is essential to the security and stability of Europe and the broader transatlantic alliance. The Fast Tracking European Investment in Ukraine's Defense Act strengthens our allies, encourages greater European burden-sharing, and helps ensure Ukraine has the resources it needs to deter Russian aggression while advancing our shared security interests," said Senator Armstrong. "Ukraine urgently needs artillery and rockets, but bureaucratic delays are hindering the delivery of critical munitions. 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," said Senator Kelly. "When Putin loses America is safer. Vladimir Putin has waged his brutal war against Ukraine. However, Ukraine continues to courageously hold the line and take the fight to Russia. Getting weapons to Ukraine faster is just commonsense. This bill does just that without any additional cost to taxpayers. Continuing our support of Ukraine will keep Americans safe," said Senator Ricketts. BACKGROUND Third-party transfers of high-volume artillery and rocket munitions have been essential to keeping Ukraine supplied and ensuring European partners are sharing the burden. However, each transaction requires a lengthy arms export approval process by the U.S. government, and many of these transactions consist of the same low-tech munitions. This rigorous process is hindering Ukraine's ability to receive critical munitions and hurting battlefield effectiveness. The Fast Tracking European Investment in Ukraine's Defense Act would address these challenges. Specifically, it would: Amend the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) to preauthorize the purchase and transfer of certain high-volume, low-tech munitions to Ukraine by NATO members and other countries until December 31, 2030 with the option of an extension through 2035. Munitions include: 155mm Artillery Shells 155mm Excalibur Extended Range Artillery Shells High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) Munitions Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Munitions Require the Government of Ukraine to provide a written guarantee that it will not transfer any such articles without receiving consent from the U.S. Maintain all current end-use monitoring and congressional ove

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Tillis, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation in Support of Ukrainian Defense WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tim Kaine (D-VA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Chris Coons (D-DE), Alan Armstrong (R-OK), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Pete Ricketts (R-NE) introduced the bipartisan Fast Tracking European Investment in Ukraine's Defense Act to boost Ukraine's defense by allowing for the more consistent and timely provision of high-volume, low-tech munitions critical to the country's fight against Russian aggression. The legislation would foster greater investment by NATO allies in Ukraine's defense as well as build out the capacity of the U.S. defense industrial base. "As Russia continues it's illegal attack on Ukraine, it's imperative we work alongside NATO to do everything we can to provide Ukraine with the valuable resources they need," said Senator Tillis . "I am proud to join my colleagues in this bipartisan legislation that will help us better support Ukraine in its fight against Putin's authoritarian aggression by ensuring a consistent supply of critical low-tech munitions." "I've been to Ukraine twice - most recently in June - and saw firsthand how critical U.S. investments have been for Ukrainians' defense," said Senator Kaine . "We're currently at a pivotal point in the war - we must keep up the pressure on Russia and show that the democracies of the world continue to stand united against authoritarian regimes. I'm glad to be working with this bipartisan group of senators to boost U.S. and allied support and help ensure our European partners can invest in the swift high-volume production and transfer of urgently-needed low-tech munitions to Ukraine. I'm going to keep urging my colleagues to join us in this important effort." "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," said Senator Cornyn . "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." "Ukraine stands on the front lines of freedom, protecting the world from Putin's aggression," said Senator Coons . "Our European allies have stepped forward, taking on more of the financial burden of investing in Ukraine's defense. We should pass this bill to support our allies' efforts, strengthen our own industrial base, and ensure Ukraine has the weapons it needs to win on the battlefield." "Ukraine's ability to defend itself is essential to the security and stability of Europe and the broader transatlantic alliance. The Fast Tracking European Investment in Ukraine's Defense Act strengthens our allies, encourages greater European burden-sharing, and helps ensure Ukraine has the resources it needs to deter Russian aggression while advancing our shared security interests," said Senator Armstrong. "Ukraine urgently needs artillery and rockets, but bureaucratic delays are hindering the delivery of critical munitions. 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," said Senator Kelly. "When Putin loses America is safer. Vladimir Putin has waged his brutal war against Ukraine. However, Ukraine continues to courageously hold the line and take the fight to Russia. Getting weapons to Ukraine faster is just commonsense. This bill does just that without any additional cost to taxpayers. Continuing our support of Ukraine will keep Americans safe," said Senator Ricketts. BACKGROUND Third-party transfers of high-volume artillery and rocket munitions have been essential to keeping Ukraine supplied and ensuring European partners are sharing the burden. However, each transaction requires a lengthy arms export approval process by the U.S. government, and many of these transactions consist of the same low-tech munitions. This rigorous process is hindering Ukraine's ability to receive critical munitions and hurting battlefield effectiveness. The Fast Tracking European Investment in Ukraine's Defense Act would address these challenges. Specifically, it would: Amend the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) to preauthorize the purchase and transfer of certain high-volume, low-tech munitions to Ukraine by NATO members and other countries until December 31, 2030 with the option of an extension through 2035. Munitions include: 155mm Artillery Shells 155mm Excalibur Extended Range Artillery Shells High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) Munitions Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Munitions Require the Government of Ukraine to provide a written guarantee that it will not transfer any such articles without receiving consent from the U.S. Maintain all current end-use monitoring and congressional ove