ICYMI: House Republicans Demand Transparency on Ukraine Funds
House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX) and Congressman Jack Bergman (R-MI) directed a letter, first reported by Fox Digital, to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Shalanda Young demanding transparency of all funds sent to Ukraine for its war against Russia.
Word on the Street via Fox News:
- "’It has now been over 20 months since Russia invaded Ukraine. Congress has provided $114 billion in supplemental appropriations – not including potentially billions in additional repurposed, transferred, and reprogrammed funds – and yet we are no closer to getting a clear picture of the Biden Administration’s strategy for providing U.S. assistance in Ukraine.’”
- "’What has become abundantly clear, however, is that this conflict is far from over – therefore, it is imperative that the Biden Administration be accountable, transparent, and most importantly, honest, with the American people about funding for Ukraine’ the letter reads, asserting that Congress remains in the dark on how funds are being spent"
- “The United States sent over $100 billions of taxpayer dollars to Ukraine since the beginning of its war against Russia, according to the White House.”
- “Members of the Budget Committee, alongside Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, sent an initial letter to OMB in January regarding the continuous funding to Ukraine, but have yet to receive a response as of October.”
- “The committee seeks to understand where each dollar went, specifically demanding ‘a full accounting of expenditures, transfers and reprogrammed funds, as well as obligations, apportionments, and outlays for each appropriations account providing assistance to Ukraine.’"
The Bottom Line
Russia invaded Ukraine, thus beginning the costly Russia-Ukraine war, on February 24th, 2022.
Ukraine has since broken diplomatic ties with Russia, and, has received more than $114 billion in U.S. taxpayer funded relief to better bolster the Ukrainian resistance against the unrelenting onslaught of Russian aggression.
Congress has also acted in a bipartisan, bicameral fashion to send billions more in additional repurposed, transferred, and reprogramed funds to aid Ukraine’s ongoing defense efforts.
Yet, after the passage and enactment of various congressional relief packages—and very little indication of a nearing peaceful resolution—additional funding relief continues to be asked of Congressional lawmakers and the American taxpayer.
But as our nation’s debt continues to skyrocket to historic levels, House Republicans are right to pursue more information prior to any future consideration of additional spending. Including improved fiscal safeguards, and enhanced oversight mechanisms, will ensure our country’s financial aid is being allocated in both a strategic and meaningful way. Requests such as these are not uncommon when making an investment of this caliber and should be agreed to accordingly.
