The White House is asking Congress for $10 billion to support Ukraine and $22.5 billion to combat COVID-19.
The request was made just one week ahead of the March 11 deadline for Congress to pass a comprehensive government funding bill, and acting Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young noted that with the “rapidly evolving situation in Ukraine, additional needs may arise over time.”
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“The United States is committed to supporting the Ukrainian people as they defend their country and democracy,” Young wrote in a statement outlining the request. “These resources will mean additional defense equipment for Ukraine, lifesaving humanitarian assistance — such as emergency food assistance — for the Ukrainian people, stronger sanctions enforcement, a dedicated task force led by 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.”
She added that the funding would supplement “regional efforts to counter Russian cyberattacks and disinformation, and strengthen the stability of Ukraine’s electrical grid by integrating it with the European Network of Transmission System of Operators.”
On COVID-19, Young said the president’s request will allow the administration to expand testing and vaccine capacity and advance Biden’s pledge of “getting more shots in arms around the world.”
Furthermore, Young called on Congress to “act promptly to provide agencies with full-year appropriations.”
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“The absence of full-year appropriations would continue to constrain Department of Defense (DOD) resources, readiness, and operations around the globe, and also leave the U.S. more vulnerable to other potential adversaries exploiting the global situation,” she wrote. “Absent full-year appropriations, State and USAID also will not have the full range and scope of resources necessary to respond quickly and efficiently to the emerging and evolving needs in Ukraine and across the region.”
