Why Knowing Your Champions in Congress Matters for Ukraine
Not all 535 members of Congress have the same impact on Ukraine policy — and knowing which ones do is essential to effective advocacy.
The American Ukraine Committee has launched the Ukraine Champions initiative to identify precisely that: the Senators and Representatives who are best positioned to shape U.S. policy on Ukraine — and who have demonstrated the commitment to do so.
Congress is where military assistance gets funded, sanctions get enforced, energy policy gets debated, and the broader U.S. strategy toward Russia and Ukraine gets decided. But within Congress, real influence is concentrated. Committee chairs control what legislation moves. Appropriators decide what gets funded. Foreign policy and national security leaders shape the terms of debate. Understanding who holds these positions — and where they stand on Ukraine — is the foundation of any serious advocacy effort.
The Ukraine Champions initiative is built around the American Ukraine Committee Congressional Report Card, a data-driven methodology that evaluates members across the factors that determine actual legislative influence on Ukraine:
Voting records on key Ukraine-related legislation
Sponsorship and co-sponsorship of major Ukraine bills
Leadership positions in Congress
Service on committees relevant to defense, foreign affairs, intelligence, sanctions, and appropriations
Membership in key Ukraine-related entities, including the Ukraine Caucus and Helsinki Commission
Electoral durability and long-term political viability
The result is a ranked list of Ukraine Champions — lawmakers from both parties and both chambers who not only support Ukraine but are positioned to act on that support in consequential ways.
At a moment when Ukraine policy faces growing debate in Washington, these are the people who matter most. Supporting them — politically and financially — is one of the most direct ways our community can influence outcomes.
You can view the Ukraine Champions at amukr.org/ukraine-champions.
Thank you for your continued engagement.
