SHAHEEN-JOHNSON AMENDMENT PROTECTING WOMEN IN UKRAINE CLEARS FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE

(Washington, DC) – This afternoon the Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed an amendment sponsored by U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Ron Johnson (R-WI) promoting the empowerment and safety of women in Ukraine.  The amendment was included as part of bipartisan legislation to provide support to Ukraine and level sanctions against those responsible for the ongoing violence.  The amendment was also co-sponsored by Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL), Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Ben Cardin (D-MD).  The final Ukraine legislation cleared the committee with a bipartisan majority, 14-3.

“Empowering women is critical to our efforts to promote peace and stability around the world and Ukraine is no exception,” Senator Shaheen said. “This amendment strengthens the Senate legislation and will ultimately help the country achieve strong and lasting economic, political and social stability.”

“Congress and the administration need to speak with one, unified voice in supporting Ukraine. This is a strong bi-partisan amendment to prevent violence against women and make sure they are included fully in all aspects of Ukrainian society,” Senator Johnson said.

The Shaheen-Johnson amendment specifically calls for U.S. assistance to “support the efforts of the Government of Ukraine, civil society, and international organizations to enhance the economic and political empowerment of women in Ukraine and to prevent and address violence against women and girls in Ukraine, and support the inclusion of women in Ukraine in any negotiations to restore Ukraine’s security, independence, sovereignty, or territorial or economic integrity.”

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s legislation would offer assistance to the government of Ukraine, including loan guarantees, and impose sanctions against officials that have taken part in violence against the Ukrainian people.