Biden asks Congress for $40B in additional funds – including an additional $13B for Ukraine – to avoid potential showdown with Congress
- Total $40 billion request includes $13 billion in emergency defense and wildfire payments and an additional $8 billion for humanitarian aid to Ukraine
- Also includes $12 billion for disaster relief after a season of heat and storms, as well as $4 billion for the border and fight against fentanyl to lure Republicans to the deal
The Biden administration on Thursday asked Congress for another $21 billion in funding for Ukraine, kicking off a bitter showdown with the GOP-controlled House.
The $40 billion total request includes $13 billion in emergency aid for defense and wildfires and another $8 billion for humanitarian aid to Ukraine, as well as $12 billion for emergency relief after a season of heat and storms, as well as $4 billion for the border and to fight fentanyl to draw Republicans to the deal.
The breakdown of the $13 billion defense request includes $9.5 billion for equipment and replenishment of Pentagon supplies and $3.6 billion for ongoing military, intelligence and other defense support.
A view shows a location of a Russian missile strike, amid the Russian attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, August 10, 2023
A handout photo made available by the National Police of Ukraine shows the aftermath of a rocket attack in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, August 10, 2023, during the Russian invasion
The short-term funding application is for the first quarter of fiscal year 2024.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has already brushed off the idea of additional aid, saying he would insist on adhering to the $886 billion defense ceiling agreed in the debt limit agreement.
“We just worked on an agreement,” McCarthy told reporters earlier, referring to the debt ceiling agreement. “Working (on) a supplement now only inflates the agreement. That’s all about spending more money. So no, I’m not in favor of a supplement.’
But President Biden has said the US will support Ukraine in its fight against Russia “for as long as it takes.”
Privately, government officials have warned Ukrainian officials that there is a limit to the patience of a narrowly divided Congress — and American public — for the cost of a war with no clear end.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., said in a statement that there was strong bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate.
Ukrainian soldiers are seen in an M109 self-propelled howitzer on the frontline in the Zaporizhzhya region, the site of the heaviest battles with the Russian forces, Ukraine, Thursday, August 10, 2023
A destroyed dam and hydroelectric power station are seen on the Oskil River as the Russo-Ukrainian War continues in the village of Oskil in Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine on August 10, 2023
A stranded boat is seen on the Oskil River as the Russo-Ukrainian War continues in the village of Oskil in Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine on August 10, 2023
“The latest request from the Biden administration demonstrates America’s continued commitment to helping Americans here at home and our friends abroad,” he said. “We hope to work with our Republican colleagues this fall to avoid an unnecessary government shutdown and fund this critical additional emergency request.
“For people who might be concerned that the cost will get too high, we would ask them what the cost — not just in treasure but in blood, maybe even American blood — might be if Putin subjugates Ukraine,” the national security spokesman said. the White House, John. Kirby said this week.
Support among the American public for it supplying weapons to Ukraine and direct economic aid has declined over time.
A recent CNN poll found that a majority of Americans do not think the US should provide more aid to Ukraine. Overall, 55 percent think Congress should not authorize more funding for Ukraine, while 45 percent think Congress should.