In Washington, D.C., a bipartisan effort is underway to extend $6 billion in military assistance for Ukraine as part of a broader initiative to avert a government shutdown. This development comes at a critical juncture, with Russia intensifying its attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure as winter approaches.
President Joe Biden's administration and pro-Ukraine congressional leaders are close to reaching an agreement on a one-year extension of the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) for Ukraine. This authority, established by the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, allows the president to transfer defense articles and services from U.S. stocks in response to emergencies.
The proposed extension is expected to be included in a Continuing Resolution, a short-term emergency spending bill that both chambers of Congress must pass by September 30, 2024, to avoid a government shutdown. This type of legislation is commonly used to fund government agencies when regular appropriations bills have not been enacted.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has announced that the Democratic-led Senate will prepare its own temporary spending legislation to prevent a shutdown. Schumer, who has held this position since January 2021, is working to incorporate the Ukraine aid extension into this bill.
However, uncertainty looms over the support from House Speaker Mike Johnson, who previously delayed Biden's last Ukraine spending request. Johnson's stance on including the extension in the Senate's spending bill remains unclear, adding a layer of complexity to the negotiations.
The urgency of this matter is underscored by the fact that a significant portion of the previously approved $7.8 billion in PDA has not been utilized, primarily due to supply chain issues. With the fiscal year 2024 ending on September 30, officials are scrambling to prevent the remaining $6 billion from expiring.
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Congress has approved nearly $175 billion in aid and military assistance for Ukraine and allied nations. This figure is part of the larger U.S. defense budget, which stands at approximately $886 billion for fiscal year 2024.
Supporters of Ukraine aid emphasize the benefits for U.S. industry, particularly in swing states like Arizona and Pennsylvania. Companies such as RTX's Raytheon in Arizona, which produces the Patriot missile system with a 160 km operational range, and General Dynamics' artillery plants in Pennsylvania are receiving contracts to replace equipment sent to Ukraine.
Despite these economic arguments, a vocal group of Republicans opposes the aid, arguing that taxpayer money should be prioritized for domestic issues. This opposition highlights the ongoing debate over the United States' role in supporting Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression.
As the deadline approaches, the outcome of these negotiations will have significant implications for both U.S. domestic politics and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The extension of PDA funding remains a crucial element in the U.S. strategy to support Ukraine's defense efforts against Russian attacks, which have targeted critical infrastructure since October 2022.