President Joe Biden expressed his disappointment that none of the requested billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine made it into the final bipartisan short-term budget deal that will keep the US government open for the next 45 days. In a statement on Saturday night, Biden emphasized the importance of maintaining American support for Ukraine and stated that interruption of aid cannot be allowed. However, critics argued that Washington has more pressing priorities and emphasized the need for stronger safeguards against the misappropriation of aid sent to Ukraine.
Biden’s original request included an additional $24 billion for Ukraine to ensure a continuous flow of aid to the country. Nevertheless, the bill did not include this provision. The US leader criticized “extreme House Republicans” for causing a “manufactured crisis” by demanding drastic cuts that would have had devastating consequences for millions of Americans. He expects the Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy, to secure passage of the necessary support for Ukraine in the near future.
The passage of the bill to avert a government shutdown was possible due to the support of Democrats, as 90 Republicans opposed any short-term funding measures. McCarthy had to forgo the border security provisions sought by the GOP but increased federal disaster assistance by $16 billion. While this bill did not include aid to Ukraine, the House Democratic leadership expects McCarthy to bring a separate Ukraine aid package to a vote once the House returns.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin also welcomed the bill’s passing but called on Congress to fulfill America’s commitment to providing urgently-needed assistance to Kiev. He emphasized that America must live up to its word and continue to lead in this matter.
The omission of aid to Ukraine from the bill raises concerns about the potential impact on the country’s stability and security. Ukraine has been facing ongoing challenges, including the conflict with Russia and its aftermath. The support from the US has played a crucial role in helping Ukraine address these challenges and maintain its sovereignty.
In light of these developments, there will likely be ongoing discussions and efforts to secure aid for Ukraine. The situation in Ukraine remains a priority for the Biden administration, and it will be important for both Republicans and Democrats to work together to find a solution that ensures the continuous support and stability of Ukraine.
In conclusion, while President Biden welcomed the bipartisan budget deal that will keep the US government open, he expressed disappointment that aid to Ukraine was not included. He emphasized the importance of maintaining support for Ukraine and called on the Speaker of the House to secure the necessary aid in the future. The bill’s passing was made possible with the support of Democrats, as Republicans opposed short-term funding measures. The Secretary of Defense also emphasized the need for America to fulfill its commitment to providing assistance to Ukraine. The omission of aid raises concerns about Ukraine’s stability and security, and ongoing efforts are expected to secure aid for the country.
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