(UnitedHeadlines.com) – The Biden administration is warning that Ukraine’s efforts against Russia may weaken without Congress approving more military and economic assistance.
The administration called on Congress to approve its request for almost $106 billion in funding for the wars in Ukraine, as well as for Israel and other security needs. The new package includes $61 billion in aid for Ukraine, with most of the funds being used to buy weapons from the U.S. For Israel, the package has $14.3 billion in aid, including $10.6 billion for weaponry. The package includes almost $14 billion for border security, aid for the Asia-Pacific region and other U.S. national security provisions.
During a classified briefing Dec. 5, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke to U.S. senators by video. According to the Senate Majority Leader and New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Biden administration invited Zelenskyy to speak so the senators “could hear directly from him” exactly “what’s at stake.” The secretaries of Defense, State and other national security officials also addressed the senators.
Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young stated in a letter to the leaders of the Senate and House that by the end of 2023, the U.S. would run out of money to send Ukraine weapons and assistance. The U.S. has already run out of money that it has used to prop up Ukraine’s economy, according to Young. She added that “they will not be able to keep fighting” if their economy collapses.
There has already been $111 billion allocated by Congress to assist Ukraine, which includes $67 billion in military procurement funding, $10 billion in humanitarian aid, and $27 billion in economic and civil assistance. Young wrote that by the middle of November, all the money, except 3% of the military funding, had been spent.
House Speaker and Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson stated that House Republicans will insist on changes to the border policy as part of an assistance bill for Ukraine. The House also passed a standalone bill to provide assistance to Israel in its fight against Hamas. However, the Biden administration says any assistance package must include funding for Ukraine.
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