Biden asks Congress to allocate $24 billion to support Ukraine: all funds will remain in the United States
27 November 2024 09:11
In his last weeks in the White House, US President Joe Biden asked Congress to approve a new $24 billion aid package for Ukraine. This amount is to be used to increase military support for Kyiv and replenish U.S. arms stockpiles, which have been significantly reduced due to previous deliveries, reports "Komersant Ukrainian" citing the New York Post.
How the funds are planned to be used
According to data obtained by Politico Pro, the White House Office of Management and Budget proposes to include these funds in a future bill aimed at avoiding a government shutdown that could occur next month.
According to a document seen by some lawmakers:
- $8 billion should be allocated to the Security Assistance Initiative for Ukraine. This program provides funding for contracts with American companies to supply weapons to Kyiv.
- 16 billion dollars are to be spent on replenishing the American weapons stockpiles that were transferred to Ukraine.
Thus, absolutely 100% of this amount remains in the United States.
Criticism from Republicans
Biden’s announcement immediately drew criticism from some Republicans. Senator Mike Lee of Utah wrote in his post on Platform X:
“Joe Biden just wasted $4.7 billion of your tax dollars by single-handedly ‘forgiving’ loans to Ukraine. Congress should not give him the opportunity to further undermine President Trump’s peace talks. All of Biden’s funding requests should be rejected.”
Last week, the Biden administration also notified Congress of its intention to write off $4.65 billion of Ukraine’s debt.
Follow us on Telegram: the main news in brief
The White House’s position
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said earlier this month:
“President Biden will make the case that we need continued resources to support Ukraine even after his term is over. The threat to Ukraine will remain, regardless of what happens on the battlefield or at the negotiating table. The U.S. must not abandon its commitment to Ukraine and the 50 countries we have united to defend Ukraine in Europe and Asia.”
Previous aid packages
The last major aid package for Ukraine was approved by Congress in April, almost nine months after Biden’s first request last August. At that time, $61 billion was allocated as part of a total package of $95 billion.
However, this aid has become a source of political controversy in the lower house of Congress. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green of Georgia even initiated the resignation of Speaker Mike Johnson, accusing him of being a cave-in. However, Democrats supported Johnson, allowing him to remain in office.
That package also included about $10 billion in economic loans for Ukraine.
Follow us on Telegram: the main news in a nutshell
