Washington, DC -- Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, condemned the Trump administration’s decision to proceed with the reprogramming of more than $52 million in congressionally appropriated Foreign Military Financing (FMF) funds.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio diverted the funds—appropriated by Congress for Ukraine, European allies supporting Ukraine, and Middle East partners—to countries in the Western Hemisphere instead.

The Ranking Members reiterated that the reprogramming violates statutory requirements and disregards Congress’ clear direction on the use of these funds.

An excerpt of the letter is below. A PDF copy of the full letter can be found here.

“We are writing regarding the State Department’s last-minute effort to reprogram more than $52 million in Foreign Military Finance (FMF) funds that Congress specifically appropriated for Ukraine, our European allies supporting Ukraine, and other Middle East partners and to instead send those funds to Colombia, Ecuador, Panama and Peru. We are deeply concerned that the Department has failed to justify how this decision complies with the law. We urge you to utilize the funds for the purpose required by Congress."

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