McCaul Delivers Opening Remarks at Full Committee Hearing on Ukraine Oversight and Accountability

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul gave the following remarks at a full committee hearing with the Inspectors General of the State Department, USAID, and Department of Defense on the transparency & accountability mechanisms for U.S. assistance to Ukraine.

I have supported U.S. assistance, because a victory by Putin in Ukraine would further embolden America’s adversaries, from Chairman Xi in Beijing to the Ayatollah in Tehran to Kim Jong Un in North Korea.

However, it’s imperative the American people know about the existing accountability mechanisms, including third-party monitors such as Deloitte, and the robust oversight being conducted by Congress, and in particular, this committee.

When Republicans took the majority, we made it very clear that accountability will be paramount to continued assistance in Ukraine.

This is just the first of many hearings and briefings I will hold to ensure the assistance we are providing Ukraine is being used as intended.

Of the 113 billion dollars appropriated across four supplementals, approximately 60 percent is going to American troops, American workers, and to modernizing American stockpiles.

In fact, only 20 percent of the funding is going directly to the Ukrainian government in the form of direct budgetary assistance.

As required by law, these funds are only disbursed to the Ukraine following verification that the money is spent on approved items and activities.

All funds also are subject to external third-party monitoring by Deloitte. They are conducting randomized spot checks to verify the use of this assistance.

Additionally, they are working with Ukraine’s Ministry of Finance to review its monitoring, transparency, verification, and reporting systems and procedures. […]

Congress has also been exercising oversight. Through the passage of several bills, we have ensured that there have been 39 accountability provisions passed into law.

Since day one, as the chairman of this committee, I have been actively exercising my constitutionally guaranteed responsibility to pursue stringent oversight as well. […]

While there is strong bipartisan support on this committee and in this Congress for the continued support of Ukraine, transparency and accountability are critical to ensure the aid we are providing is being used as intended, and that it advances U.S. national security interests.

The American taxpayer wants and deserves accountability. They want to and deserve to know where their money is going.