Biden administration seeks Congressional approval for $40 billion in funding

The Biden administration has asked Congress to approve $40 billion in additional emergency funding to address, primarily, assistance to Ukraine, disaster relief, and border and immigration concerns. In a letter to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, White House Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young said the $40 billion emergency funding is needed to address “three sets of critical needs.” “I urge Congress to act swiftly to provide the additional funding requested to sustain our commitment to the Ukrainian people’s defense of their homeland and to democracy around the world; to address the shortfall in disaster response and adequately support our firefighters battling wildfires; to combat fentanyl smuggling; and to continue our progress in responding to the humanitarian and border security situation along the Southwest Border of the United States,” Young said. If approved by Congress, the funding is set to go toward assistance to Ukraine and other international needs, $12 billion for disaster relief, and $4 billion for border and immigration concerns. On the other hand, some Republicans in the US Congress reacted to the additional budget request and sent the message that they would not support the fund.