The White House is asking Congress for nearly $38 billion more for Ukraine-related aid, including $13 billion for direct budget support to the Ukrainian government.
The request, sent in a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-California) on November 15, said:
Biden’s nominee for the White House Office of Management and Budget told Pelosi, “We will continue to help the Ukrainian people defend their sovereignty and stand firm in the face of Russia’s brutal war.” I have to,” he said.
“Since Putin’s war began, the United States has rallied the world to support Ukraine. With strong bipartisan support in Congress, we have provided vital support critical to Ukraine’s success on the battlefield.” We cannot let that support dry up.”
Russian forces invaded Ukraine in February on orders from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Congress has already approved nearly $66 billion in aid to Ukraine since March. The package contains weapons, food and funds for resettlement.
Most of the new requests are for defense aid, including equipment and training. The rest is mostly for the Government of Ukraine (GOU).
The Biden administration said, “This funding will help the GOU maintain confidence in the domestic currency and financial system, maintain functionality to defend against Russian aggression, support the continued delivery of critical government services, It will help ease stabilizing inflationary pressures.”
While the first three packages have strong bipartisan support, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.) said in October that he had a “blank slate” on funding and other matters for Ukraine. The US has $31 trillion in debt, saying it shouldn’t do ‘checks’.
Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters in Washington this week that he was a “strong supporter of Ukraine” and that “we need to give them what they need to keep fighting this war.” ‘ said.
“I think they have the ability to win, especially if they provide what they need,” he added.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (DN.Y.) said in a separate briefing that he “hopes” that the next fundraising bill includes new aid to Ukraine, with support from some Republicans said he would receive
Pelosi said in October that Congress would approve additional funding to Ukraine.
“Congress has secured more than $60 billion in security, economic, humanitarian and budget assistance to Ukraine,” Pelosi said at a summit in Croatia. “And there will be much more going on when we pass the Omnibus Funding Bill this fall.”
Some members of the Bundestag have expressed opposition to further funding, especially since the missile that hit Poland was most likely launched by Ukraine, according to Polish officials. US officials said Wednesday they had no evidence to dispute that.
“I am happy that Ukraine is protecting itself from Putin’s unjust aggression. Nevertheless, this is not an American war to fight, nor an American war to fund.
“There’s no more money for Ukraine. It’s time to end this war and demand peace,” added Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Republican).
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Zachary Stieber covers US and world news for The Epoch Times. He is based in Maryland.