Your support is crucial in helping us share the important stories that matter. As your White House correspondent, I am dedicated to asking the tough questions and seeking the answers that keep you informed. Your contributions allow me to be in the room, holding those in power accountable and pushing for transparency. Without your generosity, we would not have the resources to continue this vital work.
Your donation makes it possible for us to keep going, providing you with the latest updates leading up to the November election. Currently, there is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed. Nearly $6 billion in U.S. funding for aid to Ukraine will expire at the end of the month unless Congress takes action to extend the Pentagon’s authority to send weapons from its stockpile to Kyiv. This is where your support can make a difference.
The Biden administration has requested that Congress include the funding authority in any continuing resolution that may be passed before the end of the fiscal year on September 30th. This will not only fund the federal government and prevent a shutdown, but also extend the authority for another year. If this effort fails, the Defense Department is exploring other options to ensure that the funding is extended.
Currently, there is about $5.8 billion in presidential drawdown authority (PDA) that will expire, along with an additional $100 million that does not expire at the end of the month. The PDA allows the Pentagon to quickly send weapons to Ukraine. However, there is still hope as there is over $4 billion available in longer-term funding through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) that will not expire until September 30th, 2025. This funding is used for weapons contracts that may take a year or more to be delivered.
General CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has stated that the Defense Department is looking into ways to tap into the PDA and USAI funding. This is crucial for Ukraine as they prepare for the upcoming winter fight. One area that they could use assistance with is air defense capabilities to protect their critical infrastructure. This is important for their national security and to slow down any potential Russian advances during the winter months.
At the Pentagon, Major General Pat Ryder, the press secretary, has also emphasized the importance of extending the funding authority. Currently, they are working with Congress to ensure that the authorities are extended, allowing the Pentagon to use its budget to send military aid to Ukraine. The $61 billion supplemental bill for Ukraine passed in April can then reimburse the department for the weapons it sends.
In conclusion, your support is crucial in helping us continue our important work and keeping you informed. We are working tirelessly to ensure that the funding authority is extended, and we are grateful for your contributions. Together, we can make a difference and support Ukraine in their fight for national security. Thank you for your support.
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