Biden to press Congress to pass Ukraine aid package in Wednesday speech, as US offers dire warnings
President Joe Biden will publicly call on Congress to pass tens of billions of dollars in military and economic aid to Ukraine, while his administration warns of dire consequences for Kiev if lawmakers don't act.
By means ofZEKE MILLER Associated Press And AAMER MADHANI Associated Press
December 6, 2023, 12:09 PM
President Joe Biden speaks to the media before boarding Air Force One at Pueblo Memorial Airport in Pueblo, Colorado, on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, to travel back to Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday will publicly call on Congress to pass tens of billions of dollars in military and economic aid to Ukraine as his administration warns of dire consequences for Kiev if lawmakers don't act.
Biden's speech comes hours after he huddled with leaders of the Group of Seven advanced democracies, which have staunchly supported Ukraine against Russia's ongoing invasion, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Biden has asked Congress for nearly $106 billion to fund the wars in Ukraine, Israel and other security needs, but has faced stiff resistance on Capitol Hill. Some Republicans have grown tired of supporting Ukraine after the U.S. has already sent $111 billion, and other Republican lawmakers are pushing for tough changes to U.S. border policy as a condition of voting for the measure.
The White House has sent increasingly stark warnings to lawmakers about what would happen if they do not pass the measure before the end of the year, saying Ukraine's military would grind to a halt, or worse.
In a letter to House and Senate leaders released publicly Monday, Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young warned that the U.S. will run out of money to buy weapons and to send aid to Ukraine. Ukraine on the battlefield.
