Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) applauded the passage of an amendment based on his bipartisan bill – the RELIEF for Ukraine Act – with U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) to authorize the Department of Justice (DOJ) to direct any funds resulting from the disposal of seized Russian assets to support Ukraine. The amendment to the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) omnibus bill passed the Senate unanimously.
“Last night, President Zelensky gave a rousing call to defend democracy and freedom against the will of tyrants, like Vladimir Putin,” said Bennet. “Putin and his corrupt circle of oligarchs bear direct responsibility for the war in Ukraine and the death, destruction, and dislocation they have unleashed. By passing this amendment with an overwhelming bipartisan vote, we are sending the message to Putin and his band of thugs that America stands with Ukraine.”
The amendment, put forward by Bennet and U.S. Senators Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I), would allow the Attorney General to transfer to the State Department proceeds from the sale of forfeited assets – from persons subject to sanctions for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and related crimes – in order to provide foreign assistance to Ukraine, with oversight and reporting requirements to Congress.
The text of the Graham-Whitehouse-Bennet amendment is HERE.