$24bn for Ukraine tops Biden budget request ahead of looming showdown | Joe Biden News
Biden additionally requested funding for border safety and catastrophe aid, as excessive climate continues to ravage US.
United States President Joe Biden has submitted a request for about $40bn in further spending, with over half slated to go in the direction of assist for Ukraine.
The proposal represents the primary further assist request made by the Biden administration to Congress since Republicans took management of the House of Representatives in January.
In response to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, the Biden administration is in search of $24bn in further help for the federal government of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and different international locations dealing with knock-on results from the violence.
While assist to Ukraine enjoys robust bipartisan assist, a bunch of Republicans on the far proper have grown more and more immune to offering extra funding. Their leverage within the House, the place Republicans maintain a slender majority, may show a stumbling block.
In June, Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy advised Punchbowl News that any further Ukraine help requests had been “not going anywhere”. Such assist would should be allotted from the Pentagon’s discretionary spending in the course of the annual congressional appropriations course of, he stated.
In a letter on Thursday, White House budget director Shalanda Young urged McCarthy to swiftly comply with by means of on the US’s “commitment to the Ukrainian peoples’ defence of their homeland and to democracy around the world”, in addition to different wants.
Thursday’s request contains $13bn in emergency defence assist to Ukraine and a further $8bn for humanitarian assist by means of the tip of the 12 months. It comes as a Ukrainian counteroffensive has slowed: Its forces have run up in opposition to closely mined terrain and bolstered defensive fortifications.
The US has already authorised 4 rounds of assist to Ukraine in response to Russia’s invasion, totalling about $113bn, with some of that cash going in the direction of replenishment of US navy tools that was despatched to the entrance traces.
Congress authorised the most recent spherical of assist in December, with roughly $45bn earmarked for Ukraine and NATO allies.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer applauded Biden’s newest funding request, indicating the Democrat-led chamber would again it.
“The latest request from the Biden administration shows America’s continued commitment to helping Americans here at home and our friends abroad; and should send a clear signal to [Russian President] Vladimir Putin, the Chinese government, and others of America’s resolve when it comes to defending democracy around the world,” Schumer stated in a press release.
The Biden spending request additionally included $4bn for border safety and $12bn to replenish federal catastrophe funds amid a lethal season of warmth, storms and wildfires exacerbated by local weather change. An further $416m would go to counter the illicit fentanyl commerce.
US legislators are at present on their August recess, with a budget showdown over authorities funding anticipated upon their return.
They could have till October 1, the beginning of the brand new fiscal 12 months, to move spending payments to fund authorities businesses into subsequent 12 months. They may additionally move a stopgap measure that retains businesses working till they strike a longer-term settlement.
