H.R. 1158 — Freedom First Lend Lease Act

This section establishes the short title of the Act as the “Freedom First Lend Lease Act.”

This section authorizes the President, for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, to lend or lease defense articles to the Government of Ukraine and to governments of Eastern European countries affected by the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine to bolster their defense capabilities and protect civilian populations. As background, section 503 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 generally governs the loan of defense articles to foreign governments; for loans or leases to Ukraine under this authority, the section excludes 22 U.S.C. § 2311(b)(3) and section 61 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2796), and requires that any such loan or lease remain subject to applicable laws on return, reimbursement, and repayment. The section also limits delegation of this authority to a Senate-confirmed official and directs the President to establish expedited delivery procedures within 60 days after enactment for defense articles loaned or leased to Ukraine.