August 12, 2026 | Endorsements
S. 4826 / H.R. 9451, Seized Assets for Battlefield Equipment and Readiness (SABER) Act
August 12, 2026 Endorsements
S. 4826 / H.R. 9451, Seized Assets for Battlefield Equipment and Readiness (SABER) Act
Bottom Line Up Front
S. 4826 / H.R. 9451, the Seized Assets for Battlefield Equipment and Readiness (SABER) Act of 2026, would help Ukraine defend against Russia’s ongoing invasion using Russia’s own seized wealth. The United States has already frozen hundreds of billions of dollars in Russian sovereign assets under the REPO Act, but current law bars their use for weapons. The SABER Act amends the REPO Act so confiscated Russian Central Bank assets can buy defense articles and services for Ukraine, forcing Putin to foot the bill at no cost to U.S. taxpayers.
Bill Information
Read the full legislative text and view the list of cosponsors for the Senate and House versions.
FDD Action Expert Analysis
“The United States has already frozen hundreds of billions of dollars in Russian sovereign assets, but current law keeps those funds from reaching the fight where they are needed most. The SABER Act closes that gap, allowing Ukraine to turn Russia’s own wealth into the defensive weapons it needs while forcing Putin to pay for the war he started. This commonsense, bipartisan bill makes clear that the aggressor, not the American taxpayer, will foot the bill. FDD Action is proud to endorse it and encourages Members of Congress to cosponsor it.”
Associate Director for Government Relations, FDD Action
Why It Matters
- Upgrade to REPO: Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked invasion sparked the largest land war in Europe since World War II. The United States has already frozen hundreds of billions of dollars in Russian sovereign assets under the REPO Act. However, current law limits those funds to only be used for reconstruction, humanitarian aid, and compensation, not the weapons Ukraine needs to defend itself.
- SABER turns assets into arms: The bill amends the REPO Act to authorize Ukraine to draw on confiscated Central Bank of the Russian Federation assets and other Russian sovereign wealth in the Ukraine Support Fund. Ukraine could use that money to buy the defense articles and services it needs to fight Russia’s war machine.
- Putin pays, not the U.S. taxpayer: This approach makes Russia fund Ukraine’s defense without any cost to the American taxpayer by having Russia foot the bill for its war.
Congressional Press Releases
Read statements from members of Congress who are supporting this legislation:
- → Cornyn, Coons, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Bolster Ukraine’s Defense Arsenal Using Seized Russian Sovereign Assets
- → Kaine, Cornyn, Coons & Colleagues Introduce Bill to Bolster Ukraine’s Defense Arsenal Using Seized Russian Sovereign Assets
- → Grassley, Cornyn, Colleagues Work to Strengthen Ukraine’s Defense Arsenal Using Seized Russian Sovereign Assets
- → Whitehouse, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Ukraine’s Defense Arsenal Using Seized Russian Sovereign Assets
See more national security bills backed by FDD Action.
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FDD Action is a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization that works directly with policymakers to advocate for a robust U.S. foreign policy — one that strengthens U.S. national security, does damage to America’s adversaries, and supports allies and partners. FDD Action serves as a trusted resource for congressional offices and executive branch policymakers navigating complex national security challenges, leveraging a team with decades of experience on Capitol Hill and in the policy arena.