White House Budget Director Warns U.S. Running Out of Time and Money to Help Ukraine
WASHINGTON, Dec 4 (Reuters) – In a letter to Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and other congressional leaders on Monday, White House budget director Shalanda Young warned that the United States was running out of time and money to help Ukraine fight its war with Russia.
President Joe Biden’s administration is urgently requesting nearly $106 billion from Congress to fund ambitious plans for Ukraine, Israel, and U.S. border security. However, Republicans, who currently control the House of Representatives, are divided on the issue, making funding for Ukraine politically controversial.
Young stressed that cutting off funding and the flow of weapons to Ukraine would increase the likelihood of Russian victories. “There is no magical pot of funding available to meet this moment. We are out of money — and nearly out of time,” she wrote.
The U.S. Defense Department has already used 97% of the $62.3 billion in supplemental funding it received, and the State Department has used all of the $4.7 billion in military assistance fund it had been allocated.
Young emphasized the crucial importance of helping Ukraine defend itself and secure its future as a sovereign, democratic, independent, and prosperous nation in order to advance U.S. national security interests. She also pointed out that maintaining funding could benefit companies in politically significant states ahead of the 2024 election, including Alabama, Texas, Georgia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
Democratic Senator Mark Warner echoed the urgency, warning that Congress not providing aid before Christmas would be a “historic mistake.”
“It prevents larger conflict in the region that could involve NATO and put U.S. forces in harm’s way and deters future aggression, making us all safer,” Young said.
The situation in Ukraine remains dire, with visible devastation in the town of Avdiivka, Donetsk region, as Russia continues its attack. Republican leaders are facing a critical decision regarding the allocation of funds to support Ukraine, with global implications for both the U.S. and the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe.