Joe Biden Reportedly Considering State Department Grants To Aid Ukraine

The Biden administration is contemplating the use of a State Department grant program to provide extra military aid to Ukraine.

Politico reported that this move comes as Congress carries on its dispute over weapons funding. The White House is exploring various alternatives to secure additional funds to support Ukraine, following lawmakers’ decision to remove funding in a last-minute agreement to prevent a government shutdown.

President Joe Biden hinted at this tactic on Wednesday, stating, “There is another means by which we may be able to find funding for that.”

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One of the considered options is using foreign military financing, a State Department-run program that offers grants or loans to help partner countries purchase weapons and defense equipment. This would be aimed at Ukraine and other nations affected by Russia’s full-scale invasion.

As of Sep. 21, the U.S. had approximately $650 million remaining out of $4.6 billion in foreign military financing. This sum was appropriated across two supplemental packages for Ukraine and “countries impacted by the situation in Ukraine,” according to the State Department.

Even if the U.S. uses this financing authority to purchase weapons, Congress still needs to authorize additional funding to support Ukraine, stated a U.S. official.

The administration might also potentially request Congress to redirect funding from elsewhere in the Pentagon budget to support Ukraine. However, this approach would require approval from lawmakers.

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Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz