That’s fair - I think “secretly funding” covers that a bit more than directly “commissioned” (or “supporting”), then. And in terms of structure of what’s being explained, I think they should be “secretly funding” the resistance, who have “sent” pilots/a pilot.
“…
Senators have secretly
funded a brave RESISTANCE,
who have sent their most
daring pilot to find
the last Jedi and restore
the light of hope to the
darkening stars…”