Biden Asks Congress for Additional $24B in Ukraine Aid

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Facts

  • US Pres. Joe Biden asked Congress to approve an additional $24B in Ukraine aid, senior admin. officials told reporters on Thursday.1
  • The request includes $13B for security assistance and $7.3B for economic and humanitarian assistance while also setting aside $3.3B to fund infrastructure in countries affected by the war — reportedly to prevent Chinese lending in those countries.2
  • It also requests funding for a range of domestic issues, including $12B for disaster relief, $4B for managing America's southwest border, and $4B for combating the trade of illicit drugs, namely fentanyl. The total for the request comes to roughly $40B.1
  • The request for additional funding for Ukraine comes as its long-anticipated counteroffensive largely fell short of its own and Western expectations, bringing into question how long foreign aid — which Ukraine is highly dependent on — can continue.3
  • Biden has promised support will last "as long as it takes," and Democrats have largely followed. However, the issue will likely cause a divide among Republicans. For instance, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has previously said he opposed a "blank check" for Ukraine, while Mitch McConnell, the GOP's Senate leader, has been a vocal supporter of continued funding.2
  • Meanwhile, the American public's support for its tax dollars going to Ukraine has gradually waned over time. A CNN poll published last week showed that 55% of those asked don't support additional funds for Ukraine.4

Sources: 1The Guardian, 2CNN (a), 3CNN (b), and 4CNN (c).

Narratives

  • Democratic narrative, as provided by Associated Press. This request, which enjoys strong support, demonstrates that the US continues to stand in firm support of Ukraine against Russia's illegal invasion. There will be some challenges for it to pass, but it should do so.
  • Republican narrative, as provided by FOX News. This exorbitant request promises huge sums of money to Ukraine while continuing to neglect America's vast problems at home. In fact, it will send six times the amount of money to Ukraine, compared with how much Biden has requested for the problems at the border and the fentanyl crisis.

Predictions