Additional funding to Ukraine is not merely a financial matter; it’s a question of strategic clarity, responsibility and accountability to the American taxpayers who entrusted us with their hard-earned money. It is evident American taxpayers are growing fatigued and skeptical of the direction the war is headed.
Since November 2022, there have been no substantial net territorial gains for either side, and Ukraine has not made the gains that many hoped from the spring counter offensive. President Biden has repeatedly said we’ll support Ukraine “as long as it takes,” but what does this really mean? Americans deserve to know what the strategy and end goal is for helping Ukraine to win the war, not empty and ambiguous statements from the commander in chief.
Congress has already approved more than $113 billion in aid and military assistance, set up almost like a home equity line of credit (HELOC) that one would take out on their home. The big difference is that it’s your money going to Ukraine. That “HELOC” money goes into two accounts, $67 billion for defense and $46 billion for non-defense (government aid, economic support, refugee resettlement).
Of the $67 billion allocated for direct military assistance, only $26 billion has been taken out of the HELOC. On top of this, you the taxpayer have spent $15.2 billion to support the U.S. military related to the war in Ukraine.
There are three ways direct military aid is being provided to Ukraine:
- Presidential Drawdown Authority (sending our existing arms and ammunition and then replacing them. $15.6 billion of $25.5 billion in the HELOC has been used).
- Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (U.S. government pays private contractors for training and supplies. $7.2 billion of $18 billion in the HELOC has been used).
- Foreign military financing (U.S. government pays to backfill the weapons stockpiles of NATO allies that have sent their own weapons to Ukraine. $3.1 billion of $4.7 billion in the HELOC has been used).
Now, the president wants more than $21 billion more for Ukraine, which includes $13.1 billion for military aid and $7.3 billion for humanitarian and economic aid, before he has spent what’s already been authorized. Congress should not appropriate further Ukraine packages until the already approved money is spent and the Biden administration provides clear U.S. objectives to Congress.
This is not a call to abandon Ukraine, but a plea for transparency and strategic clarity. The Biden administration must present Congress with a clear roadmap for Ukraine’s future before any further funds are allocated. We need to comprehend the desired outcomes, including whether the recovery of lost territories, like Crimea, is feasible and worthwhile.
We cannot afford to continue down this path. Mounting expenses, rising inflation and an escalating national debt necessitate a responsible approach. The administration’s policies have contributed nearly $5 trillion to our national debt, and the cycle must be broken.
The fragility of our defense industrial base is another concern. Recent Department of Defense estimates suggest it could take five to seven years to replenish some of our key munitions including stingers, javelins and 155mm rounds — a timeline that may not align with potential threats on the horizon, such as China’s aggression.
China is closely monitoring our actions in Ukraine, using them as an indicator of our commitment to defending our allies. With China offering significant military aid to Russia, the global stakes are high. A Ukraine that secures victory aligns with our strategic interests, but only if we have a clear strategy to support it.
The time for responsible decisionmaking is now. Ukraine must maximize the resources at its disposal, while the Biden administration must present a definitive plan. As a member of Congress, and the House Armed Services Committee, I cannot in good conscience support further taxpayer dollars for an undefined conflict. Clarity, responsibility and accountability must shape our actions moving forward.
Mark Alford represents Missouri’s 4th District and is a member of the House Armed Services Committee.