Lafayette Reporter

WASHINGTON – Sens. John Kennedy (R-La.) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) today expressed their satisfaction with the appointment of a Lead Inspector General (IG) to provide focused oversight of America’s aid to Ukraine. The Senators have been leading the effort in Congress to install a Special IG in Ukraine who could ensure that taxpayer-funded aid is used efficiently and effectively in Ukraine's fight against Russia’s illegal invasion.

"America’s aid to Ukraine isn’t charity; it’s an important investment in our national security. I’m pleased that the Department of Defense has listened to our proposal and selected a Lead Inspector General to ensure that every dollar the American taxpayers sent to Ukraine is used to deter Russia’s aggression," said Kennedy.

"As America stands with Ukraine and ensures it has the tools and resources necessary to defend itself against Russia’s illegal and unprovoked war, we’re glad the Administration listened to our calls and appointed a Lead Inspector General to provide critical oversight of our aid," said Sinema.

The Department of Defense’s Office of Inspector General announced on Saturday that Robert Storch would be the Lead IG overseeing aid to Ukraine. Since Russian President Vladimir Putin’s illegal invasion began in February 2022, the United States has provided at least $113 billion in aid to Ukraine.

Kennedy and Sinema have consistently advocated for the installation of a dedicated IG to track American aid to Ukraine. They introduced the Independent and Objective Oversight of Ukrainian Assistance Act in February 2023, a bill that would have provided $20 million to the Department of Defense to install a Special IG for Ukraine.

In June 2023, Kennedy led a bipartisan letter asking the Special IG for Afghanistan Reconstruction, John F. Sopko, to provide insight on the importance of having dedicated oversight in Ukraine. The Senators also published an op-ed in USA Today in June 2023, calling on Congress to work together to install a dedicated IG to provide comprehensive oversight on aid to Ukraine.

In July 2023, Kennedy sponsored an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, based on the Independent and Objective Oversight of Ukrainian Assistance Act, to select a Lead IG who would provide full-time oversight of aid in Ukraine.

For more information about the Senators' efforts, please visit the following links:

• Kennedy Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Establish Special IG to Oversee Use of American Taxpayer Aid to Ukraine
• Kennedy Leads Bipartisan Letter Asking Afghanistan Inspector General for Insight on Ukraine Aid
• Op-Ed: Ukraine War: US Aid Must Continue, But Monitored
• Democrats Block Kennedy Amendment to Establish Inspector General to Oversee American Aid to Ukraine