While differences still exist, such as those over Sen. Joe Manchin’s energy permitting reform legislation, most members of Congress feel that delivering additional money to Ukraine is a priority as they work to avert a government shutdown on Friday.
Nearly $12 billion in economic help for the war-torn nation is included in the stop-gap budget plan that finances the federal government through mid-December. As a result, the U.S. The Army is encouraging soldiers who are struggling due to inflation to apply for food assistance.
Upcoming vote on US "government funding" includes massive funding for war in Ukraine: $4.5 billion to arm Ukraine and replenish US stocks; $2.7 billion to continue military and intelligence support — i.e. fighting the war by proxy; and ship another $3.6 billion worth of weapons. pic.twitter.com/Oraa92AiPM
— Aaron Maté (@aaronjmate) September 23, 2022
The money was obtained in response to a White House request for $11.7 billion in security and economic aid for Ukraine. The Associated Press reports that this is in addition to the $53 billion in help that Congress has already authorized for the nation. If approved, this would result in American expenditure on the conflict in Ukraine being almost as high as Russia’s projected yearly military budget of $65.9 billion for 2021.
Give Ukraine $12B. Only fund US border patrol with $4.9B. Ok, got it. https://t.co/bWO26bmZrh
— Wendell Husebø (@WendellHusebo) September 27, 2022
Many MPs are happy to keep subsidizing the conflict in Ukraine, but few have spoken out.
“$12 Billion dollars is about 3x as large as the budget for the entire US Border Patrol. We only spend $4.9 Billion and somehow can’t find additional funding. Our government cares more about securing an Eastern European nation than they do our own homeland.”
