House panel denies $500M increase in Ukraine funding in US defense budget.

House Armed Services Committee Rejects $500 Million Boost for Ukraine Assistance

The House Armed Services Committee recently rejected a proposed amendment within the U.S. defense budget that would have provided a $500 million boost to a fund allowing the Pentagon and Biden administration to provide assistance to Ukraine without Congressional approval.

This decision came as part of a marathon hearing where the committee approved 800 amendments for the proposed $874.2 billion Fiscal Year National Defense Authorization Act (FY24 NDAA).

While critical race theory (CRT), diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, and remedies for service members discharged for defying vaccine mandates were among the topics debated, Rep. Jared Golden’s (D-Colo.) amendment to restore funding to last year’s $800 million Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) budget was the only one denied.

During the intense 14 1/2-hour hearing, several other proposals were adopted, including a study of an oil naval blockade of China and two amendments filed by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) regarding Ukraine funding and China’s assets in Cuba.

So Much Money, So Little Monitoring

The proposed $874.2 billion FY24 NDAA only directly earmarks $80 million from the Pentagon’s budget to Ukraine. However, since the Russian invasion in February 2022, the U.S. has authorized over $100 billion in assistance for Ukraine, including $40 billion in military gear and munitions.

Most of this aid comes from the USAI, which allows the Biden administration to order and send weapons to Ukraine without Congressional approval. The draft FY24 NDAA mentions Ukraine twice, but the only proposed appropriation is $80 million for an MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS).

The committee seeks to better understand how the Department of Defense is prioritizing and approving requests from Ukraine and has requested Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to provide details on any pending requests.

Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his amendment but plans to file four more amendments to limit the Biden administration’s ability to send money to Ukraine without Congressional approval.

Golden Amendment Axed

The USAI received $800 million in the FY23 NDAA, but the Biden administration is requesting only $300 million for the FY24 NDAA. Rep. Jared Golden’s proposed amendment aimed to restore last year’s funding by reallocating $500 million from various NDAA line items.

Despite bipartisan calls for increased funding, the amendment was denied, leaving Ukraine unlikely to receive additional funding through a supplemental appropriations measure.

Rep. Golden emphasized the importance of the investment made thus far and expressed disappointment in the decision, stating that following the law is crucial in providing aid to Ukraine.