By KYIV. Oct 31 (Interfax-Ukraine) – On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the urgent need to approve the White House’s request for additional funding for the administration totaling more than $100 billion to maintain American leadership on the world stage and provide assistance to Israel and Ukraine.
“The President’s request would secure the urgent resources that we need to continue to lead,” Blinken said at a hearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee,” Blinken said at a hearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee.
He clarified that the request of U.S. President Joe Biden is aimed at performing several tasks, including “enduring support to Israel and Ukraine.”
In addition, this funding “will enable us to tackle grave humanitarian needs created by autocrats and terrorists, as well as by conflict and natural disasters in Ukraine, in Gaza, in Sudan, in Armenia, and other places around the world.”
Blinken stressed that additional funding is necessary in order for the United States to surpass its rivals. “The funding request will bolster deterrence. It will support our allies and partners,” he noted.
The Secretary of State added that the requested funds will also be used to ensure the safety of Americans inside the United States, which includes, among other things, solving the problem of migration.
Earlier in October, Biden sent a request to the Congress for financial assistance to Ukraine for a year in the amount of $61.4 billion, as well as $14.3 billion to strengthen Israel’s defense. In addition, Biden requested $13.6 billion for the protection of the U.S.-Mexico border, $7.4 billion for other national security priorities.
In total, the U.S. president would like to get Congressional approval for additional funding in the amount of $106.7 billion.
