WASHINGTON — The Biden administration has asked Congress for $32.5 billion in emergency spending to bolster the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic and support Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion.The administration requested $10 billion in humanitarian and military aid for Ukraine, which was nearly $4 billion more than an initial amount floated late last month, underscoring how rapidly the country’s need for aid has grown as Russian forces continue their attack.As part of its new coronavirus response strategy, the administration also requested $22.5 billion for additional vaccines, oral antivirals and monoclonal antibodies, testing, and support for the global vaccination effort.Officials hope to include both pieces of emergency aid in a sprawling catchall spending package that would fund the government for the remainder of the fiscal year. Congress has until March 11, when funding is set to lapse, to hammer out the details of a deal on the dozen bills needed to keep federal money flowing.In a letter on Wednesday, Shalanda Young, the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget, urged Congress to “act expeditiously” on the request.Lawmakers have struggled to reach a spending agreement for the current fiscal year, which began in October and is already almost halfway over. They have been haggling over how much money to direct to the Pentagon and key domestic programs.In her letter, Ms. Young urged lawmakers to meet the March 11 deadline in order to increase funding for the Defense Department and other agencies, in part because the government is still functioning with spending levels negotiated in late 2020, before President Biden took office.“I cannot begin to tell you the impact that that has had on the defense industrial base,” said Representative Elaine Luria, Democrat of Virginia. “It doesn’t matter as much how we get it across the finish line, but that we have to get it across the finish line.”Key lawmakers suggested the proposed aid for Ukraine could help encourage a resolution to disputes that might otherwise hamper the funding talks, which have dragged on for months.“The sense of urgency around this is made stronger because of the need to get the dollars over there and get the military aid there,” said Senator John Thune of South Dakota, the No. 2 Republican.Live Updates: Russia-Ukraine War
Updated March 3, 2022, 4:04 p.m. ETBBC revives shortwave radio dispatches in Ukraine, and draws ire of Russia.Ikea and the owner of T.J. Maxx are the latest retailers to halt Russia operations.U.S. imposes new sanctions on Russian oligarchs and elites.“Having that in there is helpful, both in terms of votes, but also probably in terms of timing,” he added.White House officials initially floated a $6.4 billion request for Ukraine, but lawmakers in both parties quickly called for more aid as Russian forces bombarded the country.The $10 billion request includes $4.8 billion in additional funds for the Pentagon to cover the deployment of U.S. troops to NATO countries, to increase intelligence and cybersecurity support, and to replenish the military’s supply of weapons in response to arms being sent to Ukraine.Russia-Ukraine War: Key Things to Know
Card 1 of 4A Ukrainian city falls.Russian troops gained control of Kherson, the first city to be overcome during the war. The overtaking of Kherson is significant as it allows the Russians to control more of Ukraine’s southern coastline and to push west toward the city of Odessa.Russia’s advance.Russian troops encircled the strategic port city of Mariupol. A military convoy that has come within 20 miles of Kyiv appeared to have stalled in place, stymied by what British officials described as “staunch Ukrainian resistance, mechanical breakdown and congestion.”The conflict and Beijing 2022.A Western intelligence report said that China told Russian officials not to invade Ukraine before the end of the Beijing Olympics, indicating it had some knowledge about Russia’s intentions. Separately, in a quick reversal, the organizers of the Paralympic Winter Games barred athletes from Russia and Belarus from competing.A symbolic vote.The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with the support of 141 countries out of 193. The vote, which is not legally binding, reflected Russia’s growing isolation on the international stage.The request also includes $4.25 billion in new funding for economic and humanitarian assistance to help provide support for Ukrainians, including the one million refugees who have already fled from the bombarded nation in the first week of President Vladimir V. Putin’s invasion. And it includes money to enforce some of the economic penalties that the Biden administration hasBy: Emily Cochrane and Catie Edmondson
Title: White House Requests $32.5 Billion for Pandemic and Ukraine Aid
Sourced From: www.nytimes.com/2022/03/03/us/politics/white-house-ukraine-pandemic-aid.html
Published Date: Thu, 03 Mar 2022 22:28:02 +0000
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