Ukrainian Weekly article about AmUkrPAC
https://subscription.ukrweekly.com/2024/06/new-political-action-committee-fosters-support-for-ukraine-in-congress/
JUNE 14, 2024 9:06 AM
New political action committee fosters support for Ukraine in Congress
by THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY3 MINS READUPDATED:JUNE 14, 2024 9:18 AM
Newly-formed America Ukraine PAC to host fundraisers and Congressional outreach
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The 6-month delay in the U.S. Congressional aid bill for Ukraine brought home to every Ukraine supporter the need to improve relations with Washington, and it also spurred the creation of a new political action committee to support the war-ravaged country.
Ukraine has been well-represented in Washington for years by the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) and the American Coalition for Ukraine, which was established in 2022 to bring voters to Washington to speak to members of Congress.
While these organizations focus on advocacy and voters voices, the new political action committee – America Ukraine PAC (Amukrpac.org) – will focus on fund-raising.
“Like all Ukraine supporters, I spent the past two years sending medicine and drones into Ukraine and helping people get out. I realized that the biggest battle Ukraine is facing is now in Congress. No amount of personal donations can match the billions of U.S. military support,” said Jed Sunden, the founder and main donor of the America Ukraine PAC.
Mr. Sunden was also the founder of the Kyiv Post and spent 20 years working in Kyiv. His company, KP Media, became the largest consumer-facing internet company in Ukraine before he sold the business to Petro Poroshenko when Viktor Yanukovych was resident of Ukraine and the country’s media was under attack.
“Same destination, but different roads,” Mr. Sunden said of the organization’s goals. “Advocacy can make demands from its representatives, PACs thank.”
“The key role of the PAC is to consolidate donations from the Ukrainian community and amplify its voice. If money comes through the PAC, it is given 100 percent to the candidate, but the candidate will see that the funds are coming due to his position on Ukraine. It also allows the PAC to speak with more authority with Congressmen,” Mr. Sunden said.
The PAC is bi-partisan and has already completed over a dozen fundraisers. It has joined with and is supporting existing events in the Ukrainian community.
The first event of the PAC was held in March for Rep. Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania.
Roman Petyk, retired chairman of the local Ukrainian American credit union who has helped organize multiple fundraisers in the area, said he recognized the value of the America Ukraine PACs involvement.
“The America Ukraine PAC brought additional funds [to an already planned fundraising event]. Their participation amplified the event and allowed us to do more,” Mr. Petyk said.
Since then, the PAC organized a fund-raiser in Washington, D.C., to thank Republican members of the House who voted in favor of a $61 billion supplemental aid bill for Ukraine.
On June 20, the America Ukraine PAC is hosting a fundraiser for Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, the co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, with the Philadelphia community. On June 24, a fundraiser is planned for Rep. Mike Lawler of N.Y. in conjunction with the chief rabbi of Ukraine.
While it is important to support members of Congress from districts with a strong Ukrainian presence, it is vital that the Ukrainian community reach out to representatives across the country, even in areas with no or a small Ukrainian population, Mr. Sunden said.
“We have supported Congressmen in Oklahoma, Iowa and Virginia. America is a big place. We must cultivate support across the country,” Mr. Sunden said.
On the calendar is a fundraiser in Florida for key Congressional representatives in Miami. Additionally, the PAC will hold an event for New Jersey’s Representatives in August during Ukrainian week in Wildwood, N.J.
Additional information the America Ukraine PAC can be found online at www.AmUkrPAC.org.