Facing severe shortages in the fight against Nazi Germany, Great Britain’s Prime Minister Winston Churchill appealed to President Franklin Roosevelt to find a way for the United States to continue to aid Britain. Introduced with the patriotic bill number “1776” on January 10, 1941, Congress passed this act following two months of debate and it was signed by President Roosevelt on March 11, 1941. The “Lend-Lease” act met Great Britain’s deep need for supplies yet allowed the United States to prepare for war while remaining officially neutral.
“H.R. 1776 A Bill Further to promote the defense of the United States and for other purposes.” (Lend-Lease Bill) dated January 10, 1941; Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, HR 77A-D13;
(Source: research.archives.gov, via congressarchives)
