Blumenthal Leads Bicameral Letter Calling on Hegseth to Reverse Decision to Freeze Shipments to Ukraine

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today led more than a dozen Members of Congress in calling on Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to reverse the Defense Department’s decision to pause shipments of munitions and arms to Ukraine.

U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and U.S. Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Jason Crow (D-CO), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Chris Deluzio (D-PA), John Garamendi (D-CA), Jared Golden (D-ME), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Austin Scott (R-GA), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), and Maggie Goodlander (D-NH) joined Blumenthal’s letter to Hegseth. In the letter, the Members pressed Hegseth for information about the Department’s decision to freeze military shipments to Ukraine and urged the Department to reconsider, citing strategic concerns that a pause in munitions could embolden U.S. adversaries and undermine trust among U.S. allies.

“We recognize the threat our adversaries present in the Indo-Pacific and Middle East, and the need for deterrence. We also appreciate the need to maintain critical stockpiles of arms and munitions for our own use. However, the decision to halt shipments to Ukraine, reportedly to redirect them to other theaters, is a strategic mistake. While the Administration has repeatedly stressed the need to reallocate resources to the Indo-Pacific, we would remind you that the Russian Federation remains the most immediate and pressing threat to our security, and that of our allies,” the Members wrote.

“Mr. Secretary, peace through strength requires us to use our strength. Congress stands ready to provide you with the authorities and funding to replenish our munitions stockpiles to prepare for future conflicts. However, Ukraine’s fight for freedom is not hypothetical. It is happening now and we must stand with them by providing the arms they need to defend themselves,” the Members concluded.

The full text of the letter is available here and below.

Secretary Hegseth,

We write regarding the Department of Defense’s recent decision to pause shipments of critical munitions and arms to Ukraine. This decision places Ukraine’s future in jeopardy, encourages Vladimir Putin, and sows doubt among our closest allies. We urge you to reverse this decision and redouble your efforts to support Ukraine as it fights for its future.

The following munitions are reportedly being suspended:

• Patriot Advanced Capability - 3 (PAC-3) Interceptors
• 155mm artillery shells
• Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS)
• Stinger MANPADS
• AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missiles
• AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-ground missiles

We recognize the threat our adversaries present in the Indo-Pacific and Middle East, and the need for deterrence. We also appreciate the need to maintain critical stockpiles of arms and munitions for our own use. However, the decision to halt shipments to Ukraine, reportedly to redirect them to other theaters, is a strategic mistake. While the Administration has repeatedly stressed the need to reallocate resources to the Indo-Pacific, we would remind you that the Russian Federation remains the most immediate and pressing threat to our security, and that of our allies.

Against all odds, Ukraine continues its defense against Vladimir Putin’s murderous assault. Last week, President Putin launched the largest aerial attack on Ukraine since the beginning of the war. This is precisely the wrong moment to curtail aid to Ukraine. Instead of redirecting assets, we must meet the moment and provide Ukraine with the arms it needs to defend itself. We urge you to rescind this decision, and to release the remaining assistance already appropriated in the Presidential Drawdown Authority valued at $3.8 billion, and the remaining $300 million in funding appropriated to the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.

We request you answer the following questions in writing and in a classified briefing by July 31st, 2025:

• What arms and munitions initially scheduled for delivery to Ukraine have been paused as a result of this decision?
• Where are those munitions being redirected?
• Are other munitions scheduled to be redirected? If so, where are they being sent?
• Based on Department of Defense assessments, how long would Ukraine be able to maintain its rates of expenditure for those munitions before their reserves are exhausted?

Mr. Secretary, peace through strength requires us to use our strength. Congress stands ready to provide you with the authorities and funding to replenish our munitions stockpiles to prepare for future conflicts. However, Ukraine’s fight for freedom is not hypothetical. It is happening now and we must stand with them by providing the arms they need to defend themselves.

Thank you for your earnest attention to this matter and we look forward to your response.

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