Biden Seeks Billions in New Ukraine Funding

WASHINGTON— President Biden requested an additional $24 billion in defense, energy and humanitarian funding for Ukraine and other countries as part of a new $40 billion request to Congress to pay for items the administration termed critical.

The request comes as Congress is still wrangling over funding the federal government for the next fiscal year, with a government shutdown possible in October if no agreement is reached. While Democrats and Republicans reached a deal on spending caps during debt-ceiling talks earlier this year, some conservatives are pushing for further cuts.

The supplemental funding request includes $13.1 billion for new equipment for Kyiv, replenishing Defense Department stocks and continued military and intelligence support, plus billions more for economic and humanitarian aid for Ukraine and other countries. It includes money to counter China’s Belt and Road initiative, about $12 billion for recovery from natural disasters, and billions of dollars more to protect the southern border along with additional funds to stem drug trafficking. 

Biden administration officials cast the request as an attempt to fill what they termed critical needs. “I urge the Congress to take swift action,” Shalanda Young, director of the Office of Management and Budget, said in a letter accompanying the request. 

Congress has already authorized more than $100 billion in military, economic and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine since Russia invaded the country last year. The requests have garnered bipartisan support in Congress, but some GOP members have loudly opposed the efforts and public polls show Americans souring on continued aid.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) said the request “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.” Nodding to the uncertainties about funding the government, he said he hoped to “join with our Republican colleagues this fall to avert an unnecessary government shutdown” and fund the supplemental request.

Earlier this year, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.) declined to commit to providing additional financial support for Ukraine. On Thursday, Rep. Chip Roy, a member of the hard-line House Freedom Caucus that has often clashed with McCarthy, tweeted that the White House proposal “should be a non-starter” for House Republicans.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.), who has argued for a robust U.S. response to the Russian invasion, said he planned to review the administration’s request to “make sure it is necessary and appropriate to keep America safe, secure our borders, support our allies, and help communities rebuild after disasters.”

Congress returns to Washington next month.

Ukraine launched a counteroffensive at the start of June, but it hasn’t yet achieved a breakthrough that might force Russia to the negotiating table. The slow pace could test continued U.S. support for the war. 

The Pentagon declined Thursday to comment about the announcement. There currently are $6.2 billion in remaining funds that can be used to provide Ukraine weapons by drawing down from U.S. supplies. 

The billions requested for disaster responses includes fighting wildfires. At least 53 people have died this week in fires that swept through Maui. Roughly 20,000 firefighters will see their salaries cut as soon as October if the funding isn’t approved, according to the Biden administration.

Write to Annie Linskey at [email protected] and Lindsay Wise at [email protected]