Hoyer Sends Letter to Armed Services Committees Requesting an Investigation on Starlink and Starshield Restrictions in Ukraine

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) sent a letter to House Committee on Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers (AL-03) and Senate Committee on Armed Services Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) requesting they investigate the decision to suspend Ukraine's full access to Starlink and Starshield. In Congressman Hoyer's letter, he calls for the committees to subpoena Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to testify on the source of the suspension.

"Ukraine has depended on reliable access to these systems in order to guide warfighters, drones, and cruise missiles as it works to repel Russia's criminal and illegal invasion of its territory," said Congressman Hoyer. "If full access to Starlink and Starshield are not restored soon, many Ukrainians will die, and recent battlefield gains against the invader may be lost. That this technology is indispensable for Ukraine's defense and crucial for continuing its battlefield momentum is unquestionable."

"Congress has steadfastly supported Ukraine in its fight for freedom, including through assistance funding and sanctions legislation that were enacted with broad, bipartisan support in both the House and Senate," Congressman Hoyer continued. "The American people and their representatives have a vested interest in making sure that these efforts have not been in vain and American support is delivered and sustained as intended."

To read the full letter, click here or see below:

The Honorable Mike Rogers

Chairman

House Committee on Armed Services

2216 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20515

The Honorable Roger Wicker

Chairman

Senate Committee on Armed Services

228 Russell Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Chairmen Rogers and Wicker:

As you are aware, the recent restrictions on the use of Starlink and Starshield technologies by Ukrainian forces have had a devastating effect on battlefield operations and on air defense for civilian areas. Ukraine has depended on reliable access to these systems in order to guide warfighters, drones, and cruise missiles as it works to repel Russia's criminal and illegal invasion of its territory. If full access to Starlink and Starshield are not restored soon, many Ukrainians will die, and recent battlefield gains against the invader may be lost. That this technology is indispensable for Ukraine's defense and crucial for continuing its battlefield momentum is unquestionable.

Congress has steadfastly supported Ukraine in its fight for freedom, including through assistance funding and sanctions legislation that were enacted with broad, bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. The American people and their representatives have a vested interest in making sure that these efforts have not been in vain and American support is delivered and sustained as intended. Consequently, Congress must investigate the source of the decision to suspend full access to Starlink and Starshield - whether it was the determination of SpaceX and its leadership independently or whether it came at the direction of the Trump Administration. To that effect, I ask that your committees subpoena Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to testify and answer that question definitively, along with examining any communications relating to the slowdown of Starlink or Starshield. Congress also must understand exactly what the relationship has been between the Defense Department and SpaceX with regard to controlling Starlink and Starshield coverage for the Ukraine-Russia theater of war.

The people of Ukraine are looking to us for help, and the people of the United States - who strongly support Ukraine's fight for liberty, sovereignty, and international law - are looking to us for answers. We owe it to our constituents to ensure that the will of Congress - as reflected by passing multiple appropriation bills and with over 300 votes to pass the Ukraine Support Act through the House and to enact the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act into law - is respected by this Administration. It would be not only idiotic for the United States actively to advantage Russia on the battlefield; it would be completely contrary to the intent of Congress and the American people.

We must never tip the scales toward its autocracy and criminal invasion rather than to support Ukraine's heroic fight for democracy.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely yours,