Defense & National Security — Lawmakers push for answers on Ukraine aid oversight

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View Online   Defense & National Security Defense & National Security   The Big Story  Pentagon says no signs of systemic misuse of US equipment House lawmakers on Tuesday pressed the Defense Department on how U.S. officials are managing oversight of security assistance to Ukraine, raising concerns about corruption in Kyiv and weapons being diverted onto the international black market. © AP Colin Kahl, the Pentagon's under secretary of Defense for policy, told the House Armed Services Committee there was no "evidence of diversion" of the billions of dollars in U.S. assistance supporting Ukraine against a Russian invasion.   "We think the Ukrainians are using properly what they've been given," Kahl said.   Congress approved $113 billion in emergency assistance for Ukraine last year.   The $67 billion for defense-related spending has included an array of weapons, including Javelin missile launchers, Stinger missiles, 155 millimeter artillery shells and High Mobile Artillery Rocket Systems.   The Pentagon is able to track the equipment going to Kyiv through scanners provided to the Ukrainians and a software inventory database used by NATO, Kahl said.   There are also about a dozen officials at the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine for certain on-site visits.   But the Pentagon's lead watchdog, Inspector General Robert Storch, pointed to an October report from his agency that acknowledges challenges in oversight because of a small number of available U.S. personnel in Ukraine.   Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) slammed Storch after the U.S. watchdog official said they were continuing to look at the issue through a number of ongoing projects auditing federal agencies.   "You cannot testify that everything is complying with the law in end-use monitoring," Gaetz said. "If you could testify to that, you would." Welcome to The Hill's Defense & National Security newsletter, I'm Brad Dress — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads  How policy will affect defense and national security now and in the future: McConnell opposes defense cuts, calls for substantial increase Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) on Tuesday said Congress should not cut defense spending but instead increase it as necessary to meet threats posed by Russia and China. McConnell made clear that he does not favor freezing the Pentagon's budget or slowing its growth to less than the rate of inflation as part of any deficit reduction package that House Republicans may attempt to attach to debt-limit legislation. …  Full Story Graham: Biden administration decision to withhold F-16s from Ukraine 'beyond disappointing' Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Monday called the Biden administration's decision to withhold F-16 fighter jets from Ukraine "beyond disappointing." "President Biden's recent statement ruling out F-16 fighters for Ukraine in the short term, based on advice from the Department of Defense, is beyond disappointing," Graham said in a statement. "It has been like pulling teeth with this Administration to get every weapons system …  Full Story Dem reps seek to cap attorney fees in Camp Lejeune contamination cases Editor’s note: Rep. Mark Takano (D) represents California in the House. The information was incorrect in an earlier version of this story. Two Democratic lawmakers introduced a bill on Tuesday that would cap attorney fees for claims made by victims of water contamination at a North Carolina military base in an attempt to weed out “bad actors.” Reps. Jerrold Nadler (N.Y.) and Mark Takano (Calif.) have proposed …  Full Story On Our Radar  Upcoming things we're watching on our beat:  Ukrainian ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova joins Washington Post Live at 9:30 a.m. ET. Navy Vice Admiral John Mustin delivers remarks at 1 p.m. ET for the U.S. Navy Memorial's Speaker Series. In Other News  Branch out with a different read from The Hill: Senate Intel leaders say Gang of Eight briefing on classified documents 'left much to be desired' The top Democrat and Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee said Tuesday's briefing on on the classified materials seized at President Biden's home and office and former President Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate "left much to be desired." The Gang of Eight, the top four leaders in Congress and … Full Story On Tap Tomorrow  Events in and around the defense world:  The International Institute for Strategic Studies talks U.S.-China relations and the Indo-Pacific region at 4:30 p.m. during an event in Washington, D.C. The United States Institute For Peace discusses a year of the Russia-Ukraine war for a Q&A event at 10 a.m. in D.C. The Center for Strategic and International Studies hosts a virtual event on the "Humanitarian Dilemma in Afghanistan" at 10 a.m. What We're Reading  News we've flagged from other outlets: Scrounging for Tanks for Ukraine, Europe's Armies Come Up Short (The New York Times). Pentagon to Reap Rewards From $53 Billion Chips Act (Wall Street Journal). Trending Today  Two key stories on The Hill right now: McCarthy, GOP pump brakes on release of Jan. 6 footage to Tucker Carlson House Republicans are pumping the brakes on the release of Jan. 6 surveillance footage they've offered to Fox News host Tucker Carlson and going on … Read more Student loan forgiveness: Key statements from each justice The high-stakes battle over President Biden's student debt relief plan reached the Supreme Court on Tuesday, with each justice giving a glimpse into … Read more Opinions in The Hill  Op-eds related to defense & national security submitted to The Hill: Waking up to the threat of the Chinese Communist Party: A call to action from Congress Our military leaders need a national security 'fast lane' to compete with China You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!  Check out The Hill's Defense page for the latest coverage. Like this newsletter? 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The Hill's Evening Report — Buttigieg pushes back on McConnell criticism

View Online  Evening Report Tuesday, February 28 ©  AP Buttigieg pushes back on McConnell criticism Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has pushed back after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) criticized him for focusing on what the GOP leader called "woke initiatives" over the recent train derailment and chemical spill in East Palestine, Ohio.   "Even amidst a catalog of crises on his watch, from this and other recent train derailments to the meltdown in air travel back during the holiday season, Secretary Buttigieg has seemed more interested in pursuing press coverage for woke initiatives and climate nonsense than in attending to basic elements of his day job," McConnell said on the Senate floor.   Appearing on CNN on Tuesday, Buttigieg noted that McConnell was among the leaders on hand when President Biden visited a bridge connecting Ohio and Kentucky in January to tout bipartisan infrastructure spending, saying he did not consider it a "woke initiative."    The Transportation chief also called on the Senate GOP leader to "be a partner" to the administration in an effort to limit future rail disasters.   More from The Hill: Buttigieg gets hit from right, left in East Palestine crisis Welcome to Evening Report! I'm Elizabeth Crisp, catching you up from the afternoon and what's coming tomorrow. Not on the list? Subscribe here. CATCH UP QUICK Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) will skip this year's Conservative Political Action Conference, a person familiar with the plans told The Hill. Republicans say Tucker Carlson's Jan. 6 tapes are subject to security review. Three "Rust" crew members are suing actor Alec Baldwin over "blast injuries." NEW THIS AFTERNOON Takeaways from student loan forgiveness arguments at the Supreme Court The debate over President Biden's student loan relief for millions of Americans came to a head on Tuesday as Supreme Court justices grilled the administration and its challengers during oral arguments.  Senate Intel leaders say Gang of Eight briefing on classified documents 'left much to be desired' The top Democrat and Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee said Tuesday's briefing on on the classified materials seized at Biden's home and office and former President Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate "left much to be desired." FBI director says origin of COVID-19 pandemic 'most likely' a lab 'incident' in Wuhan FBI Director Christopher Wray said the agency has assessed that the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic was "most likely a potential lab incident" in Wuhan, China. Wray told Fox News' Bret Baier in an interview on Tuesday that the FBI's work on determining where the pandemic originated is continuing, but many details related to the investigation remain classified. IN OTHER NEWS ©  Greg Nash, The Hill Manchin says he will back GOP bill on DC crime law Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) says he will vote for a Republican resolution to block a D.C. crime law that would eliminate most mandatory minimum sentences, allow jury trials for misdemeanor offenses and reduce maximum sentences for crimes ranging from robberies to carjackings. Twitter launches Violent Speech Policy, zero tolerance for 'severe cases' Twitter announced Tuesday it is rolling out a new policy to mitigate violent speech on the platform, which the company said will include zero tolerance for "severe cases." Biden to nominate Julie Su for Labor secretary post President Biden on Tuesday nominated Deputy Labor Secretary Julie Su to be his next secretary of Labor, potentially making her his first Asian American Cabinet secretary. PUNDIT CORNER "Reversing the overdose epidemic attack on America" — John Walters, president and CEO of the Hudson Institute. (Read here)   "China is missing an opportunity for leadership regarding Ukraine" — Aaron Rhodes, senior fellow with the Common Sense Society and president of the Forum for Religious Freedom-Europe. (Read here) ⏲️  COUNTDOWN 9 days until President Biden unveils his budget plan for the next fiscal year.   616 days until the 2024 presidential election. 🗓  ON TAP TOMORROW 9 a.m.: The House Administration Committee will meet with heads of other committees on biennial funding requests.   10 a.m.: The Senate Budget Committee holds a hearing on the effects of climate change.   10 a.m.: Senate Agriculture Committee will have a hearing on the upcoming reauthorization of the Farm Bill. Stay Engaged You're all caught up! Stay with TheHill.com for the latest and recommend this newsletter to others: TheHill.com/Evening. See you tomorrow! Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  Sign Up for Other Newsletters 1625 K Street NW, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20006 © 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.

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