White House warns of impending aid crisis for Ukraine as Congress delays funding

The White House has issued a warning to Congress, signaling that the United States is rapidly approaching a financial and temporal crunch in sustaining aid to Ukraine. The message, delivered by White House Budget Office Chief Shalanda Delores Young, emphasizes that a cessation of funding could significantly bolster Russia’s chances of success in the ongoing conflict.

Young’s letter, addressed to Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson and other congressional leaders, highlighted a roadblock in securing further military aid to Ukraine, attributed to a faction of Republicans in the lower house of Congress.According to Young, failure on the part of Congress to take immediate action will result in the depletion of resources by the end of the year, rendering the procurement of new weapons for Ukraine or supplying them from existing U.S. military stockpiles an impossibility. Notably, Young underscored that the White House lacks a miraculous source of funding to address this pressing need.

President Joe Biden had urged Congress on October 20 to pass a $106 billion package, earmarking over $61 billion for the continuation of military aid to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. Additionally, more than $14 billion was allocated for Israel, engaged in a conflict with Hamas, a designated terrorist organization according to the United States.

However, on November 2, the Republican-majority House of Representatives only approved the aid package for Israel. The Republicans’ initiative failed to garner support in the Senate, where the majority is composed of Democrats aligned with President Biden’s party.