{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-golden-and-schiff-colleagues-urge-dod-to-support-ukraine-s-request-to-train-additional-f-16-pilots", "Reps. Golden and Schiff, Colleagues Urge DoD to Support Ukraine\u2019s Request to Train Additional F-16 Pilots", "2024-07-01", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Today, Representatives Jared Golden (ME-02) and Adam Schiff (CA-30) along with 13 House colleagues urged Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to support Ukraine\u2019s request for 10 additional F-16 pilots to be trained this year as part of their ongoing fight against Russian aggression.\n\n\u201cThis request comes at a critical juncture in Ukraine's ongoing conflict with Russia, where the deployment of F-16 aircraft has the potential to significantly influence the outcome of the war. The recent commitment by allied nations to supply Ukraine with F-16 aircraft is a monumental step forward in bolstering Ukraine's defensive capabilities. These multi-role aircraft can provide air superiority, close air support, and reconnaissance, which are essential for countering Russian forces. In turn, this can lead to more effective defensive and offensive operations by Ukrainian forces, potentially altering the dynamics on the ground in favor of Ukraine,\u201d wrote the lawmakers.\n\n\u201cWe understand that the Department of Defense is operating under significant constraints and commitments. However, given the urgency of this request, we ask that the Department of Defense make every effort to support the admittance of an additional 10 Ukrainian pilots into F-16 pilot training programs this year, either here in the United States or in other allied countries,\u201d continued the lawmakers.\n\n\u201cWe are confident that with your support, Ukraine can fully meet its training requirements that accommodate these additional 10 pilots, ensuring that Ukraine can fully leverage the capabilities of the F-16 aircraft while addressing a crucial gap in its defensive strategy. This initiative not only enhances Ukraine's ability to utilize the F-16s effectively but also reinforces the broader coalition's commitment to supporting Ukraine in its fight for sovereignty and territorial integrity. This effort would be a testament to our enduring commitment to supporting Ukraine and upholding international peace and security,\u201d the letter concluded.\n\nAt the start of the conflict, Schiff visited Ukraine where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his top national security team in Kyiv for nearly three hours. He has repeatedly called for increased funding for Ukraine\u2019s defense including leading efforts to push the Biden Administration to use seized Russian assets to aid Ukraine. More recently, Schiff supported emergency supplemental aid for Ukraine passed in April.\n\nThe letter was also signed by Representatives Haley M. Stevens (D-Mich.), Donald G. Davis (D-N.C.), Jim Costa (D-Calif.), James P. McGovern (D-Mass.), Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio.), Abigail Davis Spanberger (D-Va.), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Ted W. Lieu (D-Calif.), Andr\u00e9 Carson (D-Ind.), Gerald E. Connolly (D-Va.), and Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.).\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:24:45Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-golden-and-schiff-colleagues-urge-dod-to-support-ukraine-s-request-to-train-additional-f-16-pilots"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9351801127195358, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}