1. United States
2. Fla.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern over the recent shift in U.S. foreign policy, which undermines support for Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression. This week, the Trump administration has taken several alarming actions: - Unilateral negotiations with Russia: President Trump initiated negotiations with President Putin without involving Ukraine or European allies, raising fears of concessions that could compromise Ukraine's sovereignty. - Blaming Ukraine for the conflict: President Trump suggested that Ukraine is responsible for the war, stating, "You should have never started it. You could have made a deal." This narrative unjustly shifts blame onto the victim of aggression. These actions not only contradict our nation's commitment to sovereignty and democracy but also disregard the documented war crimes committed by Russia, including: - The Bucha massacre, where over 450 civilians were executed, many showing signs of torture. - Torture and sexual violence, where Ukrainian female prisoners of war reported being subjected to electrocution, beatings, and sexual abuse in Russian captivity. - Deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and power stations, to terrorize the population. As an employee of Nammo Perry in Taylor County, I have witnessed firsthand how our contracts awarded as part of Ukraine security assistance funding have been vital to both Ukraine's defense and to the economies of communities across our country. In September 2023, Nammo Perry was awarded an Indefinite Delivery Contract (W15QKN23D0055) by the Army under the Ukraine 155mm M119A2 Propelling Bag Charges program. This contract has led to significant delivery orders, including: - Delivery Order W15QKN23F0571: Awarded September 7, 2023, valued at up to $218.1 million. - Delivery Order W15QKN24F0391: Awarded September 5, 2024, valued at up to $293.6 million. These contracts have ensured continuous production of 155mm artillery rounds, which are essential to Ukraine’s defense and a critical economic driver for Taylor County. Without continued support for Ukraine, these contracts - and the jobs they sustain - could be at risk. The importance of this cannot be overstated. At a time when Taylor County has suffered devastating job losses, including the closures of the Georgia-Pacific pulp paper mill and the West Fraser sawmill, our defense contracts have provided high-quality manufacturing jobs vital to our economy. As a member of the Joint Economic Committee, you have a vital role in evaluating policies that impact America’s economic strength. I urge you to oppose this shift in policy and advocate for continued U.S. support for Ukraine - not only because it is the morally right decision, but because it is vital to Florida’s economy and our national security interests. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.