As divisions on policy grow within Congress a recent White House announcement has sent a dire warning on the extent of US funding for the war in Ukraine.
On Monday the US Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young wrote that Ukraine funding could run out by the year’s end without action by Congress. This is the Biden Administration’s latest effort in corralling support towards an aid package, which the Senate will soon vote on this week.
“I want to be clear: Without congressional action, by the end of the year we will run out of resources to procure more weapons and equipment for Ukraine and to provide equipment from U.S. military stocks,” wrote Young, director of the Office of Management and Budget. “There is no magical pot of funding available to meet this moment. We are out of money — and nearly out of time.”
“I must stress that helping Ukraine defend itself and secure its future as a sovereign, democratic, independent, and prosperous nation advances our national security interests,” she continued.
According to CNN, The large opposition towards aid to Ukraine has come from the GOP in the House and Senate. Many have criticized the Biden administration for not focusing on the current problems in the U.S./Mexico border, proposing to tie aid to foreign powers like Ukraine and Israel with concessions on border security.
Negotiations have unsurprisingly stalled due to the GOP’s unwavering stance.
In an interview with CNN, Washington Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal claims that the Republicans are holding aid for Ukraine and Israel Hostages to try and get the hard-line immigration changes that they want.
“They are holding aid for Israel and Ukraine hostage to changes to the asylum system that would destroy the asylum system. Things that they could not get done through regular order. And I think we need to put our foot down and say, no,” Jayapal said.
“This is not about addressing the border,” she continued. “This is about destroying the immigration system, something they have not been able to do through regular order. So they want to try and trade the destruction of the asylum system for aid for Ukraine. That’s just outrageous. We should say ‘no,’ and force them to vote against this critical aid if that’s where they want to be.”
