White House Asks Congress to Approve Additional $10B in Aid for Ukraine

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  • 03/02/2023

Amid the ongoing Russian invasion, the White House on Wednesday asked Congress to authorize an additional $10 billion in humanitarian, economic and security aid for Ukraine and European allies. 

“Given the rapidly evolving situation in Ukraine, I anticipate that additional needs may arise over time,” White House Office of Management and Budget acting director Shalanda Young wrote in a letter to Nancy Pelosi. 

“This funding request is based on the Administration's best information on resource requirements at this time, and we will remain in touch with the Congress in the coming weeks and months as we assess resource requirements beyond these immediate needs,” she continued. 

Young requested the funding be authorized as part of an appropriations bill that Congress is expected to approve in the next few weeks, The Hill reports.

The White House was originally looking at $6.4 billion in funding for Ukraine, but increased the number this week. 

The letter specifically asks for $4.8 billion for the Pentagon to support U.S. troop deployments to NATO countries and to provide Ukraine with military equipment. 

The letter requests $5 billion for the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development for security, economic and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and allies on NATO’s eastern flank Of that, $2.75 billion would go towards humanitarian assistance to provide food and support to fleeing Ukrainians. 

The letter requests $21 million in additional funding for the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security to increase enforcement of export control restrictions imposed on Russia and analyze Russian economic vulnerabilities. 

Additionally, it requests $59 million for a new Justice Department task force to enforce sanctions on Russian oligarchs and $91 million for the Treasury Department to boost the agency’s work on Russia sanctions. 

Finally, it requests $30 million for the Energy Department to support the integration of Ukraine’s electric grid with the European Union’s own network. 

“These resources will mean additional military equipment for Ukraine, lifesaving humanitarian assistance — such as emergency food assistance — for the Ukrainian people, stronger sanctions enforcement, a dedicated task force within the Department of Justice to go after the ill-gotten gains and other illicit activities of the Russian oligarchs, and additional support for U.S troop deployments to neighboring countries,” Young wrote in a blog post on Thursday. 

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