WASHINGTON – The Senate has passed Sen. John Kennedy’s (R-La.) initiative to establish a Special Inspector General (IG) for Ukraine as part of the annual National Defense Authorization Act.

The Special IG would oversee the humanitarian, economic and security assistance funding that the U.S. Congress has provided to the country and would make sure that the funds are appropriately spent so that American taxpayers can be confident that their tax dollars do not end up in the wrong hands.  

“While Americans have supported Ukraine’s work to beat back Russia, our aid is not an act of charity. It’s bolstering our own national security, and American taxpayers deserve to know that our resources are helping Ukraine defeat Putin effectively. The Senate voted to guarantee that oversight by establishing an inspector general to ensure that this aid makes our homeland safer,” said Kennedy.

Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) cosponsored the original legislation.

Kennedy’s initiative authorizes $8 million to carry out the important duties of this Special IG for Ukraine.

In order to prevent an indefinite expanse of the federal bureaucracy, the provision also includes a termination clause that would end the Special IG role once U.S. taxpayer spending for Ukraine drops below $100 million per year. 

Kennedy’s op-ed calling for a special inspector general for Ukraine aid is here.

The NDAA conference report is available here.