WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema released the following statement after attending Ukraine President Zelenskyy’s virtual joint address to Congress.
“The world continues to witness Russia’s unprovoked and illegal attacks on a free, democratic, and sovereign Ukraine. President Zelenskyy’s joint address to Congress showed our unity supporting Ukraine’s efforts as it protects itself against Russia’s invasion. The United States should continue providing military equipment and humanitarian support to Ukrainians, increase financial punishments on Putin and his regime, and boost our cyber defense against Russian threats. I stand ready to support policies that keep America safe, promote our country’s and our allies’ long-term security, and ensure our servicemembers’ safety.”
Sinema has helped secure critical resources supporting Ukraine including:
- Additional funding for the U.S. Department of Justice’s Ukraine Task Force in addressing cybercrime threats and ransomware cases, and to trade and seize the proceeds of crime including cryptocurrency.
- $46.3 million for the Federal Bureau of Investigation for investigative and operational response to cyber threats; counterintelligence activities; cryptocurrency activities; and investigative support, including the establishment of a second Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative (KARI) Team to focus on violations of Russian sanctions.
- $19 million for the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) to support development, coordination, implementation, and enforcement of targeted financial measures.
As a member of the Senate Banking Committee, Sinema has also secured and additional $161 million for FinCEN and $195 million for the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, modernizing outdated IT infrastructure and boosting staffing to increase sanctions enforcement against the Russian Federation and others.
In the Ukraine Supplemental legislation recently passed into law, Sinema also helped advance emergency food assistance, health care, and other urgent support through the USAID International Disaster Assistance program; funding for the European Command operations mission, personnel, and intelligence support; key economic assistance to respond to energy and cybersecurity needs; and an increase to the President’s current authority to transfer defense equipment to Ukraine and other allies.