WASHINGTON, D.C. — Monday morning, the White House sent a letter to leaders in Congress expressing the urgent need to support Ukraine in its war against Vladimir Putin.
In a letter addressed to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R- LA), Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Shalanda Young, said “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. There is no magical pot of funding available to meet this moment. We are out of money—and nearly out of time.”
During his last visit to Washington, Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky said without aid from the United States, Putin will prevail.
The White House letter comes as ammunition stockpiles and manpower are running low for Ukraine, all while the winter season begins to cast even greater challenges.
However, supplying more aid for Ukraine- without a clear agenda and without addressing the southern border of the U.S.- is unpopular among many Republicans, especially in the House.
Speaker Mike Johnson replied to the letter earlier today on “X,” formerly known as Twitter:
“The Biden Administration has failed to substantively address any of my conference’s legitimate concerns about the lack of a clear strategy in Ukraine, a path to resolving the conflict, or a plan for adequately ensuring accountability for aid provided by American taxpayers…. Meanwhile, the Administration is continually ignoring the catastrophe at our own border. House Republicans have resolved that any national security supplemental package must begin with our own border.”
Speaker Johnson believes there can be compromise on both issues if Senate Democrats and the White House will negotiate reasonably.
In recent weeks, a bipartisan group of senators has worked to find a compromise on border policies. However, the clock is ticking.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D- NY) could bring a national security bill, that reflects the October request of President Biden, to the Senate floor as soon as this week. Without certain border policies included in the legislation, it likely won’t receive the support necessary from Republicans, especially in the House, to pass Congress.
In October, Biden requested over $100 billion for national security. The supplemental request includes $61.4 billion for Ukraine in addition to aid for Israel, Taiwan and humanitarian relief in Gaza. Biden urged Congress to pass the supplemental bill as a “comprehensive, bipartisan agreement.”
