Tennessee Representatives David Kustoff (R-TN-08) and Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01) joined their Republican colleagues in cosponsoring the American Ammo in Defense of Ukraine Act, (H.R.6981). The legislation, introduced this week by Representatives Richard Hudson (R-NC-08) and Victoria Spartz (R-IN-05), will waive export criteria so donations from American ammunition manufacturers can reach Ukraine faster.
Ukrainian Pres. Zelenskyy said he 'needed ammunition, not a ride.'
The American Ammo in Defense of Ukraine Act I introduced with @RepSpartz, @RepStefanik, & our colleagues will do just that by cutting red tape to ensure US ammo can reach Ukraine faster.https://t.co/xDmbKqxfJc
— Richard Hudson (@RepRichHudson) March 9, 2022
“I cosponsored @RepRichHudson and @RepSpartz’s bill, The American Ammo in Defense of Ukraine Act. This bill will fast track American ammunition to Ukraine. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy asked for more ammunition, and it is vital that the United States quickly answer his call,” Representative Kustoff wrote on Twitter.
I cosponsored @RepRichHudson and @RepSpartz's bill, The American Ammo in Defense of Ukraine Act. This bill will fast track American ammunition to Ukraine. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy asked for more ammunition, and it is vital that the United States quickly answer his call.
— Rep. David Kustoff (@RepDavidKustoff) March 10, 2022
As The Arizona Sun Times reported last week that U.S. ammunition manufacturer AMMO, Inc. announced a plan to send 1 million rounds of ammunition to Ukraine. The American Ammo in Defense of Ukraine Act would make it easier for manufacturers like AMMO, Inc. to get this ammunition to Ukraine by authorizing President Joe Biden to waive Department of State and Department of Commerce export criteria and transportation costs on ammunition.
“In the face of Russia’s invasion, Ukrainian President Zelensky announced he ‘needed ammunition, not a ride.’ The American Ammo in Defense of Ukraine Act will do just that by cutting red tape to ensure American ammunition can reach Ukraine faster,” Rep. Hudson said in a statement. “America must support Ukraine’s self-defense and I appreciate Congresswoman Spartz and our colleagues for joining this common sense bill.”
Rep. Spartz, a Ukrainian immigrant, also released a statement on the bill, saying, “The American Ammo in Defense of Ukraine Act is important legislation which would improve speed and agility in dealing with the current crisis in Ukraine. Maximizing efficiency, and cutting bureaucratic red tape is essential in dealing with any crisis effectively.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “David Kustoff” by David Kustoff.
