Mullin, Spartz Introduce Bill Allowing Volunteer U.S. Citizens to Fight for Ukraine

WASHINGTON— Congresswoman Victoria Spartz (IN-05), the first and only Ukrainian-American in Congress, and Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-02), member of House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, introduced a bill yesterday to allow United States citizens to volunteer to fight Russia on behalf of Ukraine. H.R. 7039, the Volunteer Fighters Exemption Act of 2022, would provide a 10-year exemption to current law that forbids U.S. citizens from fighting on behalf of another nation and against a nation of which our country is not currently at war.

“I am honored to co-lead the Volunteer Fighters Exemption Act with Representative Markwayne Mullin, a brave American who served our country in many capacities,” Spartz said. “This bill would waive criminal liabilities for the good-hearted freedom loving Americans who would like to volunteer with the Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom.”

“For the freedom-loving individuals who feel called to join their brothers and sisters in arms, this exemption allows them the opportunity to do so,” Mullin said. “Whether they are veterans or Ukrainian-Americans who have family and friends in Ukraine, there are thousands of U.S. citizens who have the skillset to help and will not sit idle as they watch Ukrainians defend their homeland against this communist takeover. This is personal to so many people, including Rep. Spartz, and I am proud she is joining me in introducing this bill.”

Ukraine has instituted a recruitment process that begins in the U.S., with applicants working with the Ukrainian embassy here to start the process of volunteering. That process could potentially trigger the legal ramifications of 18 USC Section 958-960, which carry a punishment of three years imprisonment. The Ukrainians say over 3000 Americans have signed up to volunteer.

Click here to read the full text of the bill.