White House Says US Can Only Fund One More Weapons Package for Ukraine

An aid package scheduled for later this month will be the final one unless Congress authorizes more spending on the war

The White House said on Monday that a weapons package will be provided to Ukraine later this month, and after that, the US will be out of funds to arm Ukraine until Congress authorizes more spending on the proxy war.

According to POLITICO, the Pentagon still has $4.4 billion in Presidential Drawdown Authority, which allows the US to send weapons to Ukraine straight from military stockpiles. But the US will run out of funding needed to replenish the arms being sent.

Mike McCord, the Pentagon’s comptroller, made Congress aware of the situation in a letter he sent on Sunday.

“We are still planning one more aid package to Ukraine later this month. However, when that one’s done, as the comptroller Mr. McCord made clear in his note to Congress today, we will have no more replenishment authority available to us, and we’re going to need Congress to act without delay, as we have been saying,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.

The Biden administration is seeking over $60 billion to fund the war in Ukraine for another year as part of a massive $111 billion spending package that also includes military aid for Israel and Taiwan and has been pleading with Congress to pass it.

“It is essential that Congress act without delay on the Administration’s pending supplemental request. Doing so is in our clear national interest, and our assistance is vitally needed so Ukraine can continue to fight for freedom,” McCord said in the letter.

It’s unclear when the request will be authorized by Congress as Republicans are holding out to reach a deal on significant changes to border policies and immigration laws. The Senate has delayed its holiday recess to work on a deal this week, but GOP senators have signaled they’re not close to an agreement, and the House is already adjourned until after the new year.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.