WASHINGTON, DC – Today, after President Joe Biden asked Congress to support an emergency supplemental appropriations package to provide additional aid to Ukraine and other international needs and fund disaster relief and fight fentanyl, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, signaled his support for the request and vowed to work with his Appropriations Committee colleagues to advance a strong, bipartisan package.  Reed stated:

“This funding is decisive to Ukraine’s survival and America’s security.  The Ukrainians have achieved remarkable, hard-won successes in their fight to defend their freedom, but there is difficult fighting ahead and much more to be done. We need wise leaders from both parties to do the right thing, come together and pass a responsible, bipartisan emergency supplemental that helps save lives here and abroad and helps people and communities recover, whether it is from natural disasters at home or Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

“It is imperative that we provide the resources and targeted investments needed to meet the challenges we face.

“I will work with Chair Murray and Vice Chair Collins to shape this bill and get it passed.

“I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to come together and pass a comprehensive supplemental that makes America stronger, safer, and more secure.”

Last month, the Senate Appropriations Committee finished passing all twelve Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations bills with overwhelming bipartisan votes. The Committee included $13 billion in additional emergency appropriations in its bills, including a supplemental $8 billion to the Defense bill, to respond to some of our nation’s most pressing challenges. President Biden’s request would build upon this important work to meet our international and domestic needs.