Congress recently approved $300 million in new funding for Ukraine’s war effort, marking the first time in over a year that lawmakers have allocated new funds for Kyiv. However, the money has already been obligated, and is not currently available for use. The funding was included in a government funding package signed by President Joe Biden, but was actually obligated in November under a temporary continuing resolution. The security assistance initiative puts money towards contracts for future deliveries of munitions and equipment for Ukraine, but the Pentagon has already depleted the account months ago.
The $300 million in funding, even if available, would not significantly impact the war in Ukraine. Lawmakers have noted that the money won’t fix Ukraine’s immediate crisis, as the country has been running low on critical artillery shells and other munitions. The funding is seen as a symbolic gesture from Washington to show a longer term commitment to supporting Ukraine. The White House and Pentagon have warned that both pools of funding for military aid to Ukraine have dried up, and efforts to send more weapons, ammo, and equipment have been scaled back.
A broader aid package for Ukraine will have to wait until April, as Congress is currently recessed for two weeks. Speaker Mike Johnson has faced pressure to bring a vote on Ukraine aid to the House floor, as bipartisan support has built for providing assistance to Kyiv. However, Johnson has signaled that a proposal for a Ukraine aid vote is unclear, and it remains to be seen what plan the House might vote on. Ukraine has been a politically divisive issue for House GOP leaders, with some factions pushing back on Russia while others seek to restrict funding for Ukraine.
Hard-line Republicans have previously opposed providing aid to Ukraine, leading to delays in passing defense spending legislation that included funding for Kyiv. Speaker Mike Johnson has faced criticism from both sides of the aisle over his handling of the issue, with some Democrats open to helping him save his job if he holds a Ukraine aid vote. Democrats are urging a vote on the Senate-passed aid package, arguing that it is the only viable solution to provide support to Ukraine. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, exacerbated by Russian aggression, underscores the urgent need for Congress to act and provide the necessary assistance to Kyiv.
