President Joe Biden is asking Congress for more than US$24 billion for Ukraine and other international needs as he works to sustain support for the war amid signs of softening support among Americans, POLITICO reported on November 26.
President Joe Biden is reportedly making a long-shot request to lawmakers for another US$24 billion to aid Ukraine and replace U.S. weapons that have been sent into the fight against Russia before he leaves office.
The White House Office of Management and Budget briefly outlined the request in a list, obtained by POLITICO, of spending exemptions known as anomalies that the administration wants added to a government funding patch lawmakers are likely to pass next month.
Two congressional aides reportedly confirmed details of the proposal and said Congress received it Monday. Both aides were granted anonymity to discuss a funding request that hasn’t been made public yet.
CNN says the request – which includes more than US$13 billion in security assistance and US$7.3 billion for economic and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine – sets up a potential battle with Republicans in Congress, some of whom voice skepticism about providing Ukraine any more money. As a counteroffensive wears on and prospects of the war concluding soon appear slim, the funding will act as evidence of whether US support for Ukraine can be sustained.
The new funding request, which will be unveiled later Thursday, will be paired with a US$12 billion request for new funding for disaster relief, potentially sweetening the package for skeptical Republicans who have voiced concern about approving more Ukraine aid, CNN noted.
It reportedly also includes US$3.3 billion meant to fund infrastructure in countries affected by the Russian invasion, an attempt at preventing coercive Chinese lending from taking hold in those nations. And it includes US$4 billion in funding for border security.
