December 05, 2023

White House Urges Congress: Approve New Ukraine Funding by Year's End

The White House has urged Congress to swiftly approve more funding for Ukraine in a letter sent on Monday, stressing the urgency of the situation as previously allocated aid approaches depletion within a month.

Lawmakers are under pressure to finalize a deal and present it to President Joe Biden before the year's end to avoid entanglement in a government funding dispute that looms in January, once Congress reconvenes after the winter break.

Shalanda Young, the Office of Management and Budget director, expressed a critical need for immediate support to Kyiv in her letter to lawmakers, emphasizing the dwindling resources available to assist Ukraine in its ongoing conflict against Russia.

Young highlighted the immediacy of the situation, stating, "We are out of money to support Ukraine in this fight," urging Congress to act promptly without delay. She directed the memo to House Speaker Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

The White House is pressing for the passage of a stalled $106 billion supplemental aid package for Ukraine, previously proposed in October by Biden, citing its significance in bolstering U.S. national security.

However, the funds remain in a state of uncertainty as staunch Republicans in the House oppose further Ukraine aid, while Biden underscores the necessity of augmenting aid to Kyiv, emphasizing the potential repercussions of a Russian victory for global democracy and the U.S. involvement in potential future conflicts.

Lawmakers have returned to Capitol Hill after the Thanksgiving recess facing heated debates over national budget funding, with assistance for Israel, Palestinians, and Ukraine hanging in the balance.

The White House's aid request, seeking additional funding for Ukraine, allies in the Indo-Pacific, and Israel in its conflict with Hamas, includes $61 billion for Ukraine. Johnson expressed confidence in the passage of funding for Ukraine and Israel in the House, emphasizing the importance of addressing these conflicts separately.

Congress had previously approved $111 billion for Ukraine, but the allocated funds quickly depleted amid Kyiv's constant defense efforts against repeated attacks.

As of mid-November, the Pentagon had utilized 97% of the $62.3 billion allocated to aid Ukraine, according to Young. The State Department has fully expended $4.7 billion allotted for military assistance, encompassing humanitarian aid, economic support, and civilian security.

Young cautioned that a lack of additional funding would significantly debilitate Ukraine on the battlefield, jeopardizing the progress made so far in the conflict and heightening the likelihood of Russian military victories. She emphasized the urgency, stating that resources to procure weapons and equipment for Ukraine from U.S. military stocks would soon run out if Congress does not act promptly.

Approximately 60% of the U.S. funds allocated for Ukraine have bolstered U.S. defenses abroad, providing substantial benefits for American businesses by ramping up weapon production for Ukraine while enhancing domestic stockpiles, according to Young.

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