The Biden administration has requested that Congress extend the authority for “presidential drawdowns” to send weapons to Ukraine until 2025, ensuring that $5.8 billion remains available beyond the fiscal year ending on Sept. 30, The Hill reports.
The White House has asked to include this extension in the continuing resolution proposed by House Speaker Mike Johnson. Without this measure, the funds would need to be used by the end of the month or they would expire.
“We have $5.9 billion left for Ukraine under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), with all but $100 million needing to be used by the end of the fiscal year. The Department of Defense will continue providing aid packages under this mechanism in the near future and is working with Congress to extend the PDA past the fiscal year,” Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder told the outlet.
A congressional aide told The Hill that if the extension is not granted, the Biden administration could announce a $5.8 billion military aid package for Ukraine by Oct. 1 and use the rest of the year to deliver the equipment. However, this option is considered less desirable.
The aide explained that there may be legal challenges with distributing the $5.8 billion, and administration lawyers are concerned that there might not be authority to transfer munitions that are not currently in stock.
Earlier, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh stated that the Department of Defense plans to use the remaining funds to assist Ukraine by the end of September.
On Sept. 5, Voice of America reported that U.S. advocacy groups urged the government not to miss the opportunity to use the remaining $6.2 billion in presidential authority for aid to Ukraine before the budget year ends on Sept. 30.
Reuters, citing its own sources, reported that President Joe Biden’s administration is in urgent talks with Congress to secure approval to use the $6 billion for military aid to Ukraine.
Sources indicate that the State Department hopes to add an extension of presidential drawdown authority for arms supplies to the short-term emergency spending bill, which the Senate and House of Representatives must pass this month to avoid a government shutdown on Sept. 30.
What a performance! The drip, drip approach has been slow by the Biden gang, that there is danger Ukraine could lose $6 billion in aid.
Truly ridiculous, imperative they get the ball rolling to utilize this in a formidable and effective way to go above and beyond what is needed to eradicate the rashist infestation of Ukraine immediately. 😠 Deeply concerned that the government will have a shutdown again.
Maybe if Ukraine fired another Prosecutor the money would come quicker?