American Jewish Committee (AJC) and the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) welcomes President Trump signing into law the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) as a critical affirmation of U.S. leadership, transatlantic security, and America's enduring commitment to countering authoritarian aggression. The legislation's robust provisions supporting Ukraine's defense and resilience are essential not only to Ukraine's survival, but to the security of Europe, the Middle East, and the preservation of American values and interests.

Through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), the FY26 NDAA will equip Ukraine with the advanced military capabilities necessary to defeat Russia's illegal war of aggression. This support is not optional, it is a strategic and moral imperative. As Russia's partnership with Iran continues to deepen, Ukraine's security is increasingly inseparable from that of democratic nations worldwide, including Israel and partners across Central and Eastern Europe. Authoritarian regimes are closely monitoring how the United States and its allies sustain resolve. The FY26 NDAA demonstrates that resolve in action.

The FY26 NDAA also supports efforts to identify and recover Ukrainian children who have been forcibly deported by Russia. The Abducted Ukrainian Children Recovery and Accountability Act provides U.S. technical support and funding for those involved in this critical effort, for the rehabilitation of returned children, and for efforts to identify and hold accountable those responsible for this horrific practice. This support serves critical national security interests by disrupting and deterring Russia's efforts to subject abducted children to re-education and military training and use them as a tool of war.

We commend Congress for its bipartisan leadership and urge the Administration to implement the FY26 NDAA fully, including the immediate execution of USAI funding, rigorous sanctions enforcement, and close coordination with allies to accelerate Ukraine's path to victory. Vigilant congressional oversight of the FY26 NDAA is critical to ensure strategic clarity and that commitments made in law are carried out in practice to decisively deter global aggression.

AJC and UCCA remain united in the belief that America's security is strongest when it stands firmly with those defending freedom. The FY26 NDAA advances U.S. national security interests and reinforces the United States' indispensable role in safeguarding peace, security, and democratic values worldwide.

AJC is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. With headquarters in New York, 25 regional offices across the United States, 15 overseas posts, as well as partnerships with 38 Jewish community organizations worldwide, AJC's mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world. For more, please visit www.ajc.org.

Established in 1940, the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America ( UCCA.org ) unites and advocates in the name of 30 fraternal, educational, religious, cultural, veterans and humanitarian organizations in the Ukrainian American community. UCCA maintains local all-volunteer chapters across the United States, with a national office in New York City, as well as a Washington, D.C. bureau, the Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS). UCCA is also a founding member of the Ukrainian World Congress ( ukrainianworldcongress.org ) representing 25 million people in over 80 nations, as well as a founding member of the Central and East European Coalition ( ceecadvocacy.org ), which coordinates the efforts of national ethnic organizations representing 20 million Americans.

###