We will audit Biden’s $100 BILLION in aid sent to Ukraine, Republicans warn

House Republicans are backing up their promise to investigate US support for Ukraine for potential waste and fraud, with a letter released on the last day of President Biden’s visit to Europe on the eve of the anniversary of the invasion. From Russia.

A letter from House Oversight and Accountability Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) warns the Pentagon and State Department that investigators want to see documentation of US military and humanitarian assistance. to the war-torn Eastern European nation.

‘Since Russia invaded the Ukraine nearly a year ago, Congress has provided more than $113 billion in security, humanitarian, economic and government assistance. It is critical that the government agencies that administer these funds ensure that they are used for their intended purposes in order to prevent and reduce the risk of waste, fraud and abuse’, Comer wrote.

The push comes after President Kevin McCarthy said Ukraine would not get a “blank check” from Republicans, after Biden wrapped up a three-day visit to Ukraine and Poland with a dramatic speech that concluded with children waving flags. Americans and Ukrainians.

Comer addressed the letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and USAID Chief Samantha Power.

The letter notes a comment by National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby that “we have not seen any sign that our budget assistance has been the victim of any form of corruption in Ukraine,” and then points to alleged examples of financial embezzlement.

The letter then seeks “all documents and communications on strategies for monitoring the end use of weapons, equipment, direct budgetary assistance, and any other form of economic or security assistance to the Ukrainian people.”

The committee is looking for documents and communications on “anti-corruption efforts in Ukraine, how much money has been disbursed for Ukrainian assistance, financial assistance, funds for multilateral organizations, and information on conditions of assistance and benchmarks.”

It all comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to make passionate pleas for additional help, including US fighter jets amid continued Russian bombing.

Biden announced the latest $500 million military aid package on his trip.

‘Together, we have committed almost 700 tanks and thousands of armored vehicles. 1,000 artillery systems, more than 2 million artillery munitions, more than 50 advanced rocket launch systems, anti-ship and air defense systems, all to defend Ukraine,” Biden said on his surprise visit to Kiev in times of war. ‘And that’s not counting the other half a billion dollars that we’re announcing with you today and tomorrow that’s coming your way.’

“Providing humanitarian and security assistance for war and reconstruction carries an inherent risk of fraud, waste and abuse,” Comer wrote, before insisting that the US must develop “monitoring mechanisms” to mitigate worsening risks. with the mandates to spend money. quickly,” Comer wrote.