The request was followed by weeks of discussions between White House officials and lawmakers about the form of any potential emergency request, which was expected to focus heavily on the needs of Covid-19. But the escalating Russian invasion has dramatically increased the size of the specific demand for Ukraine.
Lawmakers are in the midst of negotiating a long-term financing deal and face a March 11 deadline to reach an agreement.
Ukraine’s funds are expected to be attached to each final deal, but the process remains fluid.
“This request identifies an immediate need for $ 10 billion in additional humanitarian, security and economic aid to Ukraine and its Central European partners due to unjustified and unprovoked Russian invasions,” the official request, sent by the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget, said on Wednesday. Shalanda Young. to the leadership of Congress.
Young suggested that the initial $ 10 billion request for Ukraine would meet “immediate needs” and more funding could be needed.
“Given the rapidly evolving situation in Ukraine, I expect that additional needs may arise over time. This funding request is based on the administration’s best information on resource needs so far, and we will liaise with Congress in the coming weeks and months as we assess resource needs beyond those immediate needs, “she said.
The detailed funding request provides $ 4.8 billion to the Department of Defense, including $ 1.8 billion to support the region, as U.S. troops support US Command and NATO Response Force, $ 1.3 billion for cybersecurity and other defense support and $ 1.8 billion to replenish the Department’s defense reserves. He also called for $ 5 billion for the State Department and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), including $ 2.8 billion for humanitarian aid such as food and other support; $ 500 million in military aid through the Foreign Military Funding Program; and $ 1.8 billion in economic aid to help “support the continuity of government and the resilience of the Ukrainian people, as well as the urgent needs of the region.”
The request also provides $ 21 million to the Department of Commerce to strengthen export controls, $ 30 million to the Department of Energy to provide “technical assistance for grid integration,” $ 59 million to the Department of Justice to support the newly announced job. the KleptoCapture group to impose sanctions on Russia and other funding for the Multinational Working Group and $ 91 million for the Treasury Department to support IRS sanctions and criminal investigations, among other costs. The White House has also requested $ 22.5 billion in “immediate needs” for the current Covid-19 response, including funding for treatment, testing and vaccines, as well as money to work to protect against future options and efforts to vaccinate more people worldwide .
A source familiar with the request noted that more than 90% of the funds from Covid’s relief bill passed last year were committed and “almost all” of the bill from Covid-19’s response to the Ministry of Health and Human Services’ Covid-19 response “These funds have now been used.” These funds have been used to purchase and distribute vaccines and therapists, tests, research, supply and control nosocomial infections.
“Without additional resources, the administration will not be able to provide the treatment, vaccines and tests that Americans need in the coming months. And critical efforts to respond to Covid – such as free community testing sites and coverage for testing, treatment and vaccination for the uninsured – will end this spring, “the source said.