By Trish Svoboda

U.S. Representative Tracey Mann voted against H.R. 8035, the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024, on Saturday, April 20. Despite his opposition, the bill was approved in the U.S. House of Representatives with a 311-112 vote. Following the vote, Rep. Mann issued a statement.

“Being the leader of the free world comes with great responsibility – both at home and abroad,” said Rep. Mann. “It is in America’s interest for Ukrainian forces to defeat Russia, but it is irresponsible and unsustainable to continue funding a war in Ukraine without any oversight as to how Americans’ tax dollars are spent. I could not in good conscience vote to send $60.84 billion more to Ukraine without proper checks in place for the $75 billion that America has already sent. We do not allow our own federal agencies to spend our tax dollars that way, and we should not allow foreign governments to either. It should not be controversial.”

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Rep. Mann has been a proponent for the U.S. to back Ukraine in a fiscally responsible way.

In July 2023, Rep. Mann endorsed amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act aimed at enhancing the scrutiny of funds previously allocated there. However, in December, Rep. Mann voted against H.R. 2670, criticizing it for overstepping Presidential authority by permitting the U.S. Department of Defense to finance the defensive abilities of foreign governments without any form of oversight or accountability.

In line with his pledge to the Big First, Rep. Mann is dedicated to providing Kansans with a government that is accountable and a country that is secure.