Congress Correct Biden Administration US$23.9 Billion Ukraine Borrowing, Spending Supplemental Be “Clean”. Cost US$1 Billion In Annual Interest; Adding To 2022 US$3 Billion Annual Interest- Forever.
The White House Should Request A Stand-Alone (“Clean”) US$23.9 Billion Ukraine-Only Supplemental Borrowing And Spending Request.
If Supporting Ukraine Is Important To President Biden, Then He Should Accept The Risk Of A Stand-Alone Ukraine-Only Supplemental Borrowing And Spending Request.
Wording In Supplemental Borrowing And Spending Request Will Provide Less Oversight For United States Congress. Hundred Million Here… One Billion There…
Read Here The List Of 35 Spending Requests From The White House
US$23.9 Billion Will Cost United States Taxpayers Approximately US$1.05 Billion In Annual Interest Payments- Not Including Repayment On Principal.
United States Taxpayers Already Obligated To Approximately US$3.55 Billion In Annual Interest Payments- Not Including Repayment On Principal From US$113.1 Billion Appropriated For Ukraine In 2022 By United States Congress.
US$4.6 Billion Annually In Interest Payments May Be Paid Forever By United States Taxpayers- Monies Unavailable For Domestic Priorities.
The Government Of Ukraine And Private Sector In Ukraine Has A Decades-Long Reputation For Corruption. There Have Been Issues Too Since 24 February 2022. That’s Why Members Of Congress Are Absolutely Within Bounds To Seek Accountability… And No “Blank Check” For United States Taxpayers.
United States Taxpayers Should NOT Be Funding Any Program That Assists Ukraine’s Membership With The European Union- That Is The Responsibility Of The European Union.
President Zelensky Should Support Stand-Alone Supplemental Borrowing And Spending Request- And Support Complete Transparency For Spending And Claw-Back Provisions Should There Be Misuse- As Defined By The United States Congress.
On 10 August 2023, the Biden-Harris Administration (2021- ) in a sixty-five-page supplemental borrowing and spending proposal requested the United States Congress appropriate approximately US$21,588,039,000.00 (or depending upon assignment of values as reported by The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal- US$23.9 billion) in new commercial, economic, financial, humanitarian, and military assistance for the government of Ukraine and assistance relating to the government of Ukraine. Senior officials in the Biden-Harris Administration “have indicated they plan to ask for even more next year.”
Within the sixty-five-page supplemental borrowing and spending proposal submitted by the Office and Management and Budget within the Executive Office of the President, are details- some more specific than others, as to how the requested funds are to be allocated.
In the private sector, “rounding” of thousands, hundreds of thousands, millions, and billions is always a red flag for caution and for abuse- and with government data, always represents undervaluing or overvaluing. These are the U.S. Dollar values for thirty-five (35) of the spending allocations (specific details are further below in this analysis):
US$44,418,000.00
US$508,000.00
US$5,175,000.00
US$931,000.00
US$852,371,000.00
US$310,935,000.00
US$4,055,000.00
US$265,426,000.00
US$1,875,000.00
US$9,884,501,000.00
US$755,000,000.00
US$4,500,000.00
US$43,750,000.00
US$4,500,000.00
US$43,750,000.00
US$9,100,000.00
US$1,750,000.00
US$694,382,000.00
US$22,685,000.00
US$9,239,000.00
US$101,795,000.00
US$56,414,000.00
US$1,944,000.00
US$66,285,000.00
US$100,000,000.00
US$28,200,000.00
US$700,000,000.00
US$63,000,000.00
US$3,360,000,000.00
US$1,000,000,000.00
US$94,000,000.00
US$1,000,000,000.00
US$778,800,000.00
US$1,300,000,000.00
US$25,000,000.00
US$2,000,000.00
Total US$21,588,039,000.00
One year ago, the annual interest rate on a thirty-year Treasury Bond that United States taxpayers would use to borrow the approximately US$23.9 billion was 3.14%. Today, the interest rate is 4.41%.
Important to note that given the United States government continues to incur annual deficits exceeding US$1 trillion, and there has been no meaningful effort by the United States Congress to reduce spending and to make meaningful payments on the national debt principal (exceeding US$32 trillion), United States taxpayers will unlikely ever fully repay the US$21.5 billion to US$23.9 billion along with the US$113 billion appropriated by the United States Congress in 2022. Meaning, United States taxpayers could be paying forever approximately US$4.6 billion annually (depending upon interest rate fluctuations) in interest payments- funds that could be directed towards desired domestic priorities.
The approximately forty-five (45) member House Freedom Caucus (HFC) should require the appointment of Ukraine-focused Inspectors General (IG) along with necessary staff located in Ukraine and other countries, for each of these agencies and departments: United States Agency for International Development; United States Department of Commerce; United States Department of Defense; United States Department of Justice; and United States Department of the Treasury. The IGs would be required to provide online public monthly reports detailing all spending relating to Ukraine.
There is language in the supplemental borrowing and spending proposal that members of the United States Congress will interpret as efforts to circumvent accountability, overnight, and reporting.
The HFC might consider requiring the Biden-Harris Administration to obtain in advance written consent for the use of any drawn-down authority from the two ranking members of the United States House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, United States House of Representatives Armed Services Committee, United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, and United States Senate Committee on Armed Services.
In 2022, United States taxpayers borrowed more than US$113.1 billion to support the government of Ukraine. In August 2023, the Biden-Harris Administration proposed an additional US$23.9 billion to support the government of Ukraine and for Ukraine-related support to other countries. So, elected political leadership in the United States have asked taxpayers to borrow more than US$137.1 billion during the last nineteen months for use relating to Ukraine.
On 21 August 2023, the HFC issued a statement about the supplemental spending request which includes: “Lastly, we will oppose any blank check for Ukraine in any supplemental appropriations bill.” According to media reporting, “[Kevin] McCarthy [(R-20th District, California), Speaker of the United States House of Representatives] is likely to face pressure from beyond the [House] Freedom Caucus to separate any Ukraine spending from a short-term government funding bill, amid growing skepticism within the conference about continuing to provide military help.”
The White House
Washington DC
10 August 2023
Excerpt:
“… the President has reaffirmed that we will stand with Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty for as long as it takes, a strategy that has successfully united our allies and partners and equipped Ukraine to defend itself against Russian aggression. Previous supplemental appropriations for direct military aid, economic and humanitarian assistance, and other support have been committed or nearly committed. The Administration is requesting supplemental security, economic, and humanitarian assistance funding that would support Ukraine, as well as countries and vulnerable populations worldwide impacted by Russia’s unprovoked and brutal invasion of Ukraine.” LINK
“Ukraine is really the most important thing going on in world affairs right now.” Mitch McConnell (R- Kentucky), United States Senate (Minority) Republican Leader
House Freedom Caucus
United States House of Representatives
Washington DC
21 August 2023
NOTE: “Any official House Freedom Caucus (HFC) position requires the support from at least 80 percent of the group’s membership.” The HFC has approximately forty-five (45) members although there is no official list provided by the HFC. There are 222 members of the Republican Conference in the United States House of Representatives. There are 435 members in the United States House of Representatives.
“NO SECURITY, NO FUNDING”
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, the House Freedom Caucus released the following official position on the possible Continuing Resolution before the expiration of government funding on September 30. LINK
As Congress continues to work to pass appropriations bills, we must rein in the reckless inflationary spending, and the out-of-control federal bureaucracy it funds, crushing the American people. We remain committed to restoring the true FY 2022 topline spending level of $1.471 trillion without the use of gimmicks or reallocated rescissions to return the bureaucracy to its pre-COVID size while allowing for adequate defense funding. However, when Congress returns to Washington, we will have just a few days before government funding expires on September 30, and time is rapidly running out to enact all 12 appropriations bills.
Therefore, in the eventuality that Congress must consider a short-term extension of government funding through a Continuing Resolution, we refuse to support any such measure that continues Democrats’ bloated COVID-era spending and simultaneously fails to force the Biden Administration to follow the law and fulfill its most basic responsibilities. Any support for a “clean” Continuing Resolution would be an affirmation of the current FY 2023 spending level grossly increased by the lame-duck December 2022 omnibus spending bill that we all vehemently opposed just seven months ago.
We will oppose any spending measure that fails to… 1. Include the House-passed “Secure the Border Act of 2023” to cease the unchecked flow of illegal migrants, combat the evils of human trafficking, and stop the flood of dangerous fentanyl into our communities; 2. Address the unprecedented weaponization of the Justice Department and FBI to focus them on prosecuting real criminals instead of conducting political witch hunts and targeting law-abiding citizens; and 3. End the Left’s cancerous woke policies in the Pentagon undermining our military’s core warfighting mission. Furthermore, we will oppose any attempt by Washington to revert to its old playbook of using a series of short-term funding extensions designed to push Congress up against a December deadline to force the passage of yet another monstrous, budget busting, pork filled, lobbyist handout omnibus spending bill at year’s end and we will use every procedural tool necessary to prevent that outcome. Lastly, we will oppose any blank check for Ukraine in any supplemental appropriations bill. [emphasis added]
War Timeline
On 24 February 2022, the armed forces of the Russian Federation invaded and further invaded the territory of Ukraine in what Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation (2000-2008 and 2012- ), defined as a Special Military Operation [SMO] then on 22 December 2022 he redefined as a war. The initial invasion of Ukraine by the armed forces of the Russian Federation was in part from the territory of Belarus.
The war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine did not commence on 24 February 2022. The roots began their trajectories on 20 February 2014 when the armed forces of the Russian Federation invaded the Crimean Peninsula and the area known as the Donbas Region (Donetsk Oblast and Luhansk Oblast).
35 Sections Of Biden-Harris Administration Ukraine-Related Supplemental Borrowing And Spending Request
“For an additional amount for “Military Personnel, Army”, $44,418,000, to remain available until September 30, 2024, to respond to the situation in Ukraine and for related expenses: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This request would provide $44 million to the Department of Defense, Military Personnel, Army account to support personnel who are currently deployed or preparing for deployments to and within the European theater of operations, including special pay such as family separation allowance.
For an additional amount for “Military Personnel, Marine Corps”, $508,000, to remain available until September 30, 2024, to respond to the situation in Ukraine and for related expenses: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This request would provide $508,000 to the Department of Defense, Military Personnel, Marine Corps account to support personnel who are currently deployed or preparing for deployments to and within the European theater of operations, including special pay, such as family separation allowance.
For an additional amount for “Military Personnel, Air Force”, $5,175,000, to remain available until September 30, 2024, to respond to the situation in Ukraine and for related expenses: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This request would provide $5 million to the Department of Defense, Military Personnel, Air Force account to support personnel who are currently deployed or preparing for deployments to and within the European theater of operations, including special pay such as family separation allowance.
For an additional amount for “Military Personnel, Space Force”, $931,000, to remain available until September 30, 2024, to respond to the situation in Ukraine and for related expenses: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This request would provide $931,000 to the Department of Defense, Military Personnel, Space Force account to support personnel who are currently deployed or preparing for deployments to and within the European theater of operations, including special pay such as family separation allowance.
For an additional amount for “Operation and Maintenance, Army”, $852,371,000, to remain available until September 30, 2024, to respond to the situation in Ukraine and for related expenses: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This request would provide $852 million to the Department of Defense, Operation and Maintenance, Army account for personnel support such as temporary duty costs; operational support such as intelligence analysis, flying hours, maintenance, and weapon system sustainment; and other unit support costs.
For an additional amount for “Operation and Maintenance, Navy”, $310,935,000, to remain available until September 30, 2024, to respond to the situation in Ukraine and for related expenses: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This request would provide $311 million to the Department of Defense, Operation and Maintenance, Navy account for personnel support such as temporary duty costs; operational support such as intelligence analysis, flying hours, maintenance, and weapon system sustainment; and other unit support costs.
For an additional amount for “Operation and Maintenance, Marine Corps”, $4,055,000, to remain available until September 30, 2024, to respond to the situation in Ukraine and for related expenses: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This request would provide $4 million to the Department of Defense, Operation and Maintenance, Marine Corps account for personnel support such as temporary duty costs; operational support such as intelligence analysis, flying hours, maintenance, and weapon system sustainment; and other unit support costs.
For an additional amount for “Operation and Maintenance, Air Force”, $265,426,000, to remain available until September 30, 2024, to respond to the situation in Ukraine and for related expenses: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This request would provide $265 million to the Department of Defense, Operation and Maintenance, Air Force account for personnel support such as temporary duty costs; operational support such as intelligence analysis, flying hours, maintenance, and weapon system sustainment; and other unit support costs.
For an additional amount for “Operation and Maintenance, Space Force”, $1,875,000, to remain available until September 30, 2024, to respond to the situation in Ukraine and for related expenses: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This request would provide $2 million to the Department of Defense, Operation and Maintenance, Space Force account for personnel support such as temporary duty costs; operational support such as intelligence analysis, flying hours, maintenance, and weapon system sustainment; and other unit support costs.
For an additional amount for “Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide”, $9,884,501,000 , to remain available until September 30, 2024, to respond to the situation in Ukraine and for related expenses: Provided, That of the total amount provided by this paragraph, $5,000,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2026, shall be for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative: Provided further, That such funds for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative shall be available to the Secretary of Defense under the same terms and conditions as are provided for under this heading in the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 (division M of Public Law 117-328) and shall be available notwithstanding section 8135 of the Department of Defense Appropriation Act, 2023 (division C of Public Law 117-328) or any similar provision in any other Act making appropriations for the Department of Defense: Provided further, That of the total amount provided by this paragraph, up to $4,500,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2026, may be transferred to accounts under the headings “Operation and Maintenance”, “Procurement”, “Research, Development, Test and Evaluation”, and “Revolving and Management Funds” for replacement, through new procurement or repair of existing unserviceable equipment, of defense articles from the stocks of the Department of Defense, and for reimbursement for defense services of the Department of Defense and military education and training, provided to the government of Ukraine or to foreign countries that have provided support to Ukraine at the request of the United States: Provided further, That amounts made available by this paragraph may also be transferred to accounts under the heading “Procurement” for expansion of public and private plants, including the land necessary therefor, and procurement and installation of equipment, appliances, and machine tools in such plants, for the purpose of increasing production of critical munitions: Provided further, That for purposes of the preceding proviso, such funds may be obligated or expended for planning and design and military construction projects not otherwise authorized by law: Provided further, That funds transferred pursuant to a transfer authority provided by this paragraph shall be merged with and available for the same purposes and for the same time period as the appropriations to which the funds are transferred: Provided further, That the Secretary of Defense shall notify the congressional defense committees of the details of such transfers not less than 15 days before any such transfer: Provided further, That upon a determination that all or part of the funds transferred from this appropriation are not necessary for the purposes provided herein, such amounts may be transferred back and merged with this appropriation: Provided further, That any transfer authority provided herein is in addition to any other transfer authority provided by law: Provided further, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). 11 This request would provide $9.9 billion to the Department of Defense (DOD) for several large activities in response to the situation in Ukraine, including: $4.5 billion to replace defense articles from the DOD stocks; reimbursement for defense services and military education and training provided to the government of Ukraine under section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended; improve ammunition plants and equipment to increase the capacity and accelerate production of equipment to more rapidly replenish defense stocks; and $5 billion for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. The request would also provide personnel and operational support such as temporary duty costs, intelligence analysis, flying hours, maintenance, weapon system sustainment, and other unit support costs.
For an additional amount for “Missile Procurement, Army”, $755,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2026, to respond to the situation in Ukraine and for related expenses: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This request would provide $755 million to the Missile Procurement, Army account in the Department of Defense. Funds would be used to increase production of missile systems and accelerate the production of equipment in order to more rapidly replenish defense stocks that are needed for the European theater of operations.
For an additional amount for “Procurement of Ammunition, Army”, $4,500,000, to remain available until September 30, 2026, to respond to the situation in Ukraine and for related expenses: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This request would provide $5 million to the Procurement of Ammunition, Army account in the Department of Defense. Funds would be used for mine-clearing equipment that is required for the European theater of operations.
For an additional amount for “Procurement of Ammunition, Navy and Marine Corps”, $43,750,000, to remain available until September 30, 2026, to respond to the situation in Ukraine and for related expenses: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This request would provide $44 million to the Procurement of Ammunition, Navy and Marine Corps account in the Department of Defense. Funds would be used to: improve ammunition plants and equipment in order to increase capacity; and accelerate the production of equipment in order to more rapidly replenish defense stocks.
For an additional amount for “Other Procurement, Navy”, $9,100,000, to remain available until September 30, 2026, to respond to the situation in Ukraine and for related expenses: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This request would provide $9 million to the Other Procurement, Navy account within the Department of Defense. Funds would be used for ship depot maintenance costs for surge ship support required for the European theater of operations.
For an additional amount for “Aircraft Procurement, Air Force”, $1,750,000, to remain available until September 30, 2026, to respond to the situation in Ukraine and for related expenses: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This request would provide $2 million to the Aircraft Procurement, Air Force account within the Department of Defense. Funds would be used for classified programs.
For an additional amount for “Other Procurement, Air Force”, $694,382,000, to remain available until September 30, 2026, to respond to the situation in Ukraine and for other expenses: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This request would provide $694 million to the Other Procurement, Air Force account within the Department of Defense. Funds would be used for classified programs.
PROCUREMENT Procurement, Defense-Wide For an additional amount for “Procurement, Defense-Wide”, $22,685,000, to remain available until September 30, 2026, to respond to the situation in Ukraine and for related expenses: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This request would provide $23 million to the Procurement, Defense-Wide account within the Department of Defense. Funds would be used for cybersecurity and other defense supports required for the European theater of operations.
For an additional amount for “Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Navy”, $9,239,000, to remain available until September 30, 2025, to respond to the situation in Ukraine and for related expenses: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This request would provide $9 million to the Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Navy account within the Department of Defense. Funds would be used for cybersecurity and other defense support required for the European theater of operations.
For an additional amount for “Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Air Force”, $101,795,000, to remain available until September 30, 2025, to respond to the situation in Ukraine and for related expenses: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This request would provide $102 million to the Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Air Force account within the Department of Defense. Funds would be used for cybersecurity and other defense support required for the European theater of operations.
For an additional amount for “Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, DefenseWide”, $56,414,000, to remain available until September 30, 2025, to respond to the situation in Ukraine and for related expenses: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This request would provide $56 million to the Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Defense-Wide account within the Department of Defense. Funds would be used for cybersecurity and other defense support required for the European theater of operations, and for classified programs.
For an additional amount for “Federal Salaries and Expenses”, $1,944,000, to remain available until September 30, 2025, to respond to the situation in Ukraine and for related expenses: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This request would provide $2 million to the Federal Salaries and Expenses account within the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). This funding would support hiring term positions for Federal staff support and includes the relocation and travel-related costs for personnel required to implement overseas portfolios. For example, NNSA anticipates receiving requests from the White House, State Department, and U.S. Agency for International Development to participate in forward-deployed interagency crisis management teams and provide subject matter experts on nuclear and radiological risk reduction measures. There are several new personnel requirements that are inherently governmental in function and cannot be contracted out. These are not enduring positions and are specifically tied to advisory support during the crisis and in early rebuild phase.
For an additional amount for “Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation”, $66,285,000, to remain available until expended, to respond to the situation in Ukraine and for related expenses: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This request would provide $66 million to Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, within the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration. This funding would be used to prepare for and respond to potential nuclear and radiological incidents in Ukraine, provide equipment and sensors to augment Ukrainian capabilities, assist Ukrainian partners with security of nuclear and radiological materials, and prevent illicit smuggling of nuclear, radiological, and dual-use materials.
For an additional amount for “Refugee and Entrant Assistance”, $100,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2025: Provided, That amounts made available under this heading in this Act may be used for grants or contracts with qualified organizations, including nonprofit entities, to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services, including wraparound services, housing assistance, medical assistance, legal assistance, and case management assistance: Provided further, That amounts made available under this heading in this Act may be used by the Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (Director) to issue awards or supplement awards previously made by the Director: Provided further, That the Director, in carrying out section 412(c)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1552(c)(1)(A)) with amounts made available under this heading in this Act, may allocate such amounts among the States in a manner that accounts for the most current data available: Provided further, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This request would provide $100 million for the Department of Health and Human Service’s Refugee and Entrant Assistance account. Funding would be used by the Office of Refugee Resettlement to provide resettlement assistance to Ukrainians arriving through the Uniting for Ukraine program, including time-limited cash and medical assistance, case management, English language education, job training, and other support services.
Sec. . (a) Section 401(a)(1)(A) of the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022 (Public Law 117-128) is amended by striking “September 30, 2023” and inserting “September 30, 2024”. (b) Amounts provided by this section are designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided, That such amounts shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This request would extend authorities provided by the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022 to cover additional Ukrainian parolees. Under current law, Ukrainians paroled into the United States by September 30, 2023 are eligible for public benefits such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid, and the Supplemental Security Income program, as well as the refugee resettlement benefits provided by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement. This request would extend these authorities to Ukrainians arriving during FY 2024.
For an additional amount for “Diplomatic Programs”, $28,200,000, to remain available until September 30, 2025, to respond to the situation in Ukraine and in countries impacted by the situation in Ukraine: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This request would provide $28 million to the Diplomatic Programs account within the Department of State. Funds would be used for additional Ukraine efforts based on the latest conditions, including for Diplomatic Security requirements, sustaining Ukraine-related staffing costs and allowances, local staff retention, inflation-related adjustments at posts affect by the conflict, and for necessary public diplomacy engagement activities. The Department anticipates allocating funds for Diplomatic Security requirements in the amount of $10 million, for Public Diplomacy in the amount of $5 million, and for sustaining Ukraine-related program and operations costs, and allowances in the amount of $13 million.
For an additional amount for “Migration and Refugee Assistance”, $700,000,000, to remain available until expended, to address humanitarian needs in, and to assist refugees from, Ukraine, and for additional support for other vulnerable populations and communities: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This request would provide $700 million to the Migration and Refugee Assistance account of the Department of State to provide lifesaving humanitarian assistance to vulnerable or displaced Ukrainians and their host communities as well as for increased overseas humanitarian requirements of those affected by Russia’s war in Ukraine and its severe impacts around the world. There are an estimated 5.1 million internally displaced persons and more than 6.3 million refugees in the region who rely on humanitarian assistance. The war has also directly led to increased costs of basic needs and exacerbated inflation worldwide and additional funding would enable continued support to essential programs responding to needs globally.
For an additional amount for “International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement”, $63,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2025, for assistance for Ukraine and countries impacted by the situation in Ukraine: Provided, That funds appropriated by this Act and other Acts making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs may be made available to support the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and National Police of Ukraine, including units supporting or under the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: Provided further, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This request would provide $63 million to International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement account within the Department of State. Funds would support the Ukrainian government to reestablish and maintain rule of law across their country, with a focus on newly liberated and war-damaged areas. Reestablishing Ukraine’s capacity to control crime, maintain law and order, and deliver essential services to citizens would be critical to long-term stability. Funding would primarily support emergency equipment and training for Ukrainian national police and border guards and technical assistance and equipment for the national police’s role in war crimes accountability. The request includes authority to support these law enforcement units when they are rotated into combat or related roles under Ukraine’s extraordinary mobilization efforts in response to the Russian invasion without unduly distracting from the core law enforcement support activities that the account provides.
For an additional amount for “Economic Support Fund”, $3,360,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2025, for Ukraine, and countries impacted by the situation in Ukraine: Provided, That funds appropriated under this heading in this Act may be made available notwithstanding any other provision of law: Provided further, That funds appropriated under this heading in this Act may be made available as contributions: Provided further, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This request would provide $3.3 billion to the Department of State for the Economic Support Fund account. Funding would provide three additional months of direct budget support to Ukraine, and $50 million for global food security programming. Budget support remains essential to ensure that the government of Ukraine can continue responding to critical needs, including providing healthcare and education, supporting those displaced by the war, and paying its obligations to first responders and civil servants. Food security funding would support the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) programming in countries that remain most challenged by ongoing food price shocks. Russia’s recent decision to terminate the Black Sea Grain Initiative reinforces the need for additional food security programming, along with disparities in how well countries have coped with ongoing and compounding crises. In addition, using transfer authority provided elsewhere in this request, $10 million of the amounts provided may be transferred to USAID’s Operating Expenses account to support critical operational requirements, including staffing and associated support in Ukraine and the region.
For an additional amount for “Foreign Military Financing Program”, $1,000,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2025: Provided, That funds made available under this heading in this Act and prior Acts making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs, in addition to funds otherwise available for such purposes, may be used by the Department of State for necessary expenses for the general costs of administering military assistance and sales, including management and oversight of such programs and activities: Provided further, That amounts made available under this heading in this Act and prior Acts making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs shall be available for the cost of loans and loan guarantees as authorized by section 2606 of the Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022 (division N of Public Law 117- 103), as amended, subject to the terms and conditions provided in such section, or as otherwise authorized by law: Provided further, That direct loans made using amounts described in the preceding proviso may be made notwithstanding any provision of law limiting the interest rate charged to borrowers: Provided further, That loan guarantees made using amounts described in the second proviso under this heading for loans financed by the Federal Financing Bank may be provided notwithstanding any provision of law limiting the percentage of loan principal that may be guaranteed: Provided further, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This request would provide $1.0 billion to the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) Program for Ukraine and countries affected by the war in Ukraine. Support to Ukraine, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies, and other partners would bolster capabilities such as air defense, artillery, armor, anti-armor, and maritime security, among others, along with critical maintenance and sustainment requirements. Outside of direct support to Ukraine, FMF grant assistance would: incentivize donations to Ukraine from partners and allies; backfill previous donations to Ukraine; support military requirements of regional partners and allies in light of the worsening security environment in Europe; and transition global partners off of Russian equipment. FMF funding would also support the United States-Taiwan defense relationship, strengthen Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities, and expedite the delivery of defense articles to Taiwan by supporting modifications to assistance provided under Presidential Drawdown Authority. The request also includes authority to use FMF funding to support the costs of administering military assistance and foreign military sales. In addition, the request would, using authority provided elsewhere in this request, provide for the following: the availability of FMF loans and loan guarantees may be increased to enable larger defense procurements for Ukraine, NATO allies, and major non-NATO allies; FMF funding may also be used to pay for the cost of loans and loan guarantees; and FMF funding may be used to enable more beneficial competitive terms, such as lower interest rates.
For an additional amount for “Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and Related Programs”, $94,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2025, for assistance for Ukraine and countries impacted by the situation in Ukraine: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This request would provide $94 million to the Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining, and Related Programs (NADR) account, within the Department of State. Funding would be used primarily to sustain urgent demining activities in Ukraine. As Ukrainian forces continue to liberate territory, continued U.S. assistance to train and equip Ukrainian government deminers and augment their capacity by deploying contractor and non-governmental organization demining teams remains critical. This support would facilitate access to farmland and damaged critical infrastructure, while also allowing displaced communities to return to their homes. A portion of the NADR funding may be used for international security and nonproliferation programs. These efforts would include programs to address chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear and non-state actor threats, strengthen nuclear material security, support the Ministry of Health’s and other weapons of mass destruction response teams, and expand efforts to train key partners on sanctions enforcement against Russia and Belarus.
For an additional amount for “Contribution to the International Development Association”, $1,000,000,000, to remain available until expended, which shall be made available for a contribution to the International Development Association Special Program to Enhance Crisis Response Window (“IDA CRW+”): Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This request would provide $1 billion in contributions to the International Development Association (IDA) to support IDA’s Crisis Response Window, which provides rapid financing and grants to the poorest countries to respond to severe crises. This funding would bolster U.S. credibility and demonstrate U.S. leadership and support through the World Bank’s support for the lowest-income countries, which have seen declining support for poverty reduction programs as partner nations and institutions have increased funds to Ukraine, while the poorest countries continue to face a number of vulnerabilities, including increased food insecurity and destabilizing fragility and conflict, fueled in some countries by Vagner, a transnational criminal organization. A companion request is included for the Contribution to the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development account.
For an additional amount for “Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia”, $778,800,000, to remain available until September 30, 2025, for assistance and related programs for Ukraine and other countries identified in section 3 of the FREEDOM Support Act (22 U.S.C. 5801) and section 3(c) of the Support for East European Democracy (SEED) Act of 1989 (22 U.S.C. 5402(c)): Provided, That funds appropriated under this heading in this Act may be made available notwithstanding any other provision of law: Provided further, That funds appropriated under this heading in this Act may be made available as contributions: Provided further, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This request would provide $779 million to the Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia account of the U.S. Agency for International Development to support urgent recovery efforts and economic assistance for Ukraine. Funding would support key energy sector development needs, to include both urgent repairs to ensure survival over the coming winter and recovery of Ukraine’s grid during the war, as well as the development of a more modern, more transparently managed, and more efficient power grid to catalyze Ukraine’s recovery and support long-term economic stability and growth. Energy sector support would include continued assistance for critical reforms that are necessary both for the effective implementation of U.S. foreign assistance, as well as for the incentivization of private investment needed for this process. The resources would also be used to expand recovery of critical infrastructure and create an improved enabling environment for Ukraine’s small and medium enterprises and global supply markets. These efforts would help mitigate the impact of Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative. There is also a critical need to boost recovery in war-affected communities through supporting critical social infrastructure, the restoration of local government service delivery, and expansion of economic opportunities. Recovery efforts would include: repairing community-level utilities such as water, heat, power, and telecommunications; jumpstarting and expanding successful businesses; and working with the government and civil society to ensure that citizens have access to essential services that would increase their ability to remain in or return to Ukraine. These initiatives would also strengthen the standing of the government of Ukraine, both at the national and local levels, and show citizens that the state is working for them. Resources would also support the private sector in Ukraine, with a focus on creating jobs, expanding Ukraine’s tax base, mitigating inflation, reducing dependence on budget support, facilitating citizen returns to Ukraine, and strengthening economic ties with Europe and the West.
For an additional amount for “International Disaster Assistance”, $1,300,000,000, to remain available until expended, to address humanitarian needs in Ukraine and countries impacted by the situation in Ukraine, including the provision of emergency food and shelter, and for assistance for other vulnerable populations and communities: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This request would provide $1.3 billion to the U.S. Agency for International Development for the International Disaster Assistance account to continue life-saving humanitarian assistance, including the provision of emergency food assistance, for internally displaced and vulnerable populations and communities inside Ukraine. This funding would also support global needs, which are exacerbated by the war and remain at unprecedented levels. Russia’s termination of the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July further destabilized global food markets, disproportionately impacting people in crisis-affected communities around the world. Resources would be used to provide people with emergency food, nutrition, cash assistance, medical supplies, health care, safe drinking water, and protection services, as well as other essential aid and services.
For an additional amount for “Transition Initiatives”, $25,000,000, to remain available until expended, for assistance for Ukraine and countries impacted by the situation in Ukraine: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This funding would provide $25 million to the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Transitions Initiatives account to support critical contingency programs in Ukraine, Moldova, and other countries impacted by Russia’s invasion. Since the beginning of the full-scale war, USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives’ (OTI) Ukraine program has filled a critical role in supporting broader U.S. Government assistance objectives in Ukraine, implementing more than 270 urgent activities, supporting more than 200 local partners, and mobilizing more than 19,000 volunteers to support Ukraine’s stabilization and reconstruction. With these funds, OTI would continue to lead in early recovery, resilience, and stabilization activities in frontline and newly liberated communities, specifically after territory is reclaimed from Russia’s occupation.
FAA Sec. 506(a)(1) Drawdown Authority Cap Increase Sec. ___. During fiscal year 2024, section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2318(a)(1)) shall be applied by substituting “$1,100,000,000” for “$100,000,000”. This request would increase the FY 2024 Foreign Assistance Act section 506(a)(1) drawdown limits for military assistance from $100 million to $1.1 billion.
Expansion of FMF Direct Loan and Loan Guarantee Authority Sec. ___. Section 2606 of the Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022 (division N of Public Law 117-103), as amended by section 504 of the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022 (Public Law 117-128), is further amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) by striking “and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies” and inserting “, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies, and major non-NATO allies”; (B) by striking “$4,000,000,000” and inserting “$8,000,000,000”; and (C) by striking “, except that such rate may not be less than the prevailing interest rate on marketable Treasury securities of similar maturity”; and (2) in subsection (b)— (A) by striking “and NATO allies” and inserting “, NATO allies, and major non-NATO allies”; (B) by striking “$4,000,000,000” and inserting “$8,000,000,000”; and (C) by adding the following at the end of the second proviso: “, except for guarantees of loans financed by the Federal Financing Bank”. This request would maintain all of the previous emergency supplemental authorities, expand loan guarantee authorities to allow for financing by the Federal Financing Bank, and increase the Secretary of State’s flexibility in setting borrower interest rates.
Specific Authorization and “Notwithstanding” Authority for Assistance for Ukrainian National Reservists Sec. ___. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, funds made available under the headings “Economic Support Fund”, “Assistance for Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia”, “Development Assistance”, “Transition Initiatives”, “Complex Crises Fund”, and “Global Health Programs” in this or any other Act making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs may be made available to support the reintegration of, and provide other assistance for, veterans of the Ukrainian military, including reservists. This request would ensure that all funding used to support Ukrainian veterans would be able to support veterans who are reservists.
Reprogramming Notwithstanding Earmarks and Directives Sec. ___ Funds appropriated in this Act and prior Acts making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs may be reprogrammed for assistance for Ukraine without regard to any minimum amounts specifically designated in such Acts. This request would authorize amounts to be reprogrammed for Ukraine in this or prior Acts.
For an additional amount for “Intelligence Community Management Account”, $2,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2024, to respond to the situation in Ukraine and for related expenses: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only if the President designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A). This request would provide $2 million for the Intelligence Community Management Account. Funds would be used for Intelligence Community support to the Executive Branch and for multilateral investigations into potential atrocities in Ukraine.”
