US Congress Prepares $13.6 Billion Aid Package for Ukraine... Twice the White House's Requested Amount

The $15.6 Billion Spending Plan for COVID-19 Response Has Been Removed

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] The U.S. Congress has prepared a $13.6 billion (approximately 16.7 trillion KRW) military, humanitarian, and economic aid package for Ukraine, which has been invaded by Russia.

On the 9th (local time), CNN reported that the House leadership from both the Democratic and Republican parties reached a final agreement on the $13.6 billion aid package, which is more than double the $6.4 billion requested by the White House for Ukraine aid. The aid package was included in a $1.5 trillion government budget bill to be used by September. This budget bill is expected to be processed in the House on the same day and pass the Senate by the 11th.

The Democratic leadership removed a $15.6 billion COVID-19 response spending plan, which had been a contentious issue during discussions, from the government budget bill that includes the Ukraine aid package.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Democrat) stated in a letter to fellow lawmakers, "Due to the urgency of supporting Ukraine and other government program needs, the $1.5 trillion government budget bill must be passed," and announced that the COVID-19 spending plan opposed by some members would be deleted to ensure this.

The $13.6 billion in aid for Ukraine will be used equally for military and humanitarian support. $6.5 billion is allocated to the Department of Defense to replenish weapons supplied to the Ukrainian government, deploy U.S. troops on NATO's eastern front, and support the Ukrainian military through intelligence activities.

$6.7 billion will be used for humanitarian and economic support, including aid for refugees inside and outside Ukraine, with $1.4 billion specifically allocated to support approximately 2 million refugees.

Additionally, $2.65 billion is allocated to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for emergency food aid and health services for refugees inside and outside Ukraine, and $120 million is assigned to the Department of Justice and the Treasury Department for use in sanctions against Russia.

Earlier, the IMF held a board meeting on the same day and decided to provide $1.4 billion in emergency funds to help mitigate the economic impact of Russia's invasion on Ukraine and support the government's fiscal spending.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.