Biden asks Congress for $40bln: Over half for Kiev, leftovers for US
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Of the $40 billion, the US President requests from Congress $24 billion for Ukraine in the form of military and economic assistance.
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US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the G7 summit for leaders in Hiroshima, Japan, on May 20, 2023 (AFP)
United States President Joe Biden requested from Congress approval for a $40 billion White House budget for 2024, over half of which are designated to Ukraine while just $12 billion will be spent to support disaster relief efforts in the US.
The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) said out of the total amount, $24 billion will be allocated to assist Kiev, including $13.1 billion for weapons and a $7.3 billion package for economic, humanitarian, and security.
"$9.5 billion for equipment for Ukraine and replenishment of DOD stocks; and $3.6 billion for continued military, intelligence, and other defense support," the document said.
Read more: Time not on Ukraine's side amid counteroffensive: White House
As for disaster relief, with all the wildfires, hurricanes, and floodings battering the US, $12 billion is the total amount requested.
"We are requesting $12 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund to ensure that the Federal Emergency Management Agency can continue to support critical activities in communities that have dealt with or are currently dealing with disasters, while also maintaining sufficient preparedness to respond to future catastrophic events," the President said in a letter to Congress.
Meanwhile, a tiny portion of the spending fund - amounting to $3.3 billion - will go to the World Bank to assist via bilateral tools to friendly countries impacted by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Biden claimed that this payment would generate over $27 billion in financing and grants for developing countries.
Read more: Majority of Americans believe US has done enough for Ukraine: Poll
“The Administration is requesting $3.3 billion to materially expand development and infrastructure finance provided by the World Bank and through bilateral tools to the countries hard hit by the spillovers of Russia’s war and provide an alternative to coercive PRC financing,” the letter read.
Among other expenses, Biden asked for $2.65 billion to improve border security and management, at a time when the immigration crisis is at its climax.
"$2.2 billion for border management, operations, shelter and services for migrants released from DHS custody, and DOD support; $416 million for counter-fentanyl activities like non-intrusive inspection system deployment," the document said.
To boost US operations to fight Wagner PMC in Africa, the White House chief asked for $200 million for the lawmakers.
"$200 million to strengthen African countries' resistance to Vagner [Wagner]," the document said.
Biden should spend less on Ukraine, spend more on improving US security: Lawmaker
According to US Congressman Paul Gosar, President Joe Biden should focus on supporting efforts to improve security within the United States rather than on spending more funding on a proxy war in Ukraine.
"Rather than spending a single penny more fighting a proxy war in Ukraine and killing more people, a more worthwhile effort would be if Biden would put America first by allocating resources in our country to secure the southern border, which is being invaded by seven million lawbreakers, funding law enforcement efforts to combat the violent crime and drugs destroying cities across America, or aiding our homeless population, including countless veterans, who are sleeping on sidewalks," Gosar said in a statement to Sputnik on Thursday.
In an attempt to downplay the amount requested for Ukraine, US National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said on Thursday that the American people understand why President Joe Biden requested billions more in aid for Ukraine, despite recent polls showing declining support for US assistance for Kiev.
