Biden Administration Aims to Save Billions in Ukraine Military Aid Before September 30 Deadline

The Biden administration is engaged in urgent negotiations with Congress to enable the use of over $6 billion in military aid for Ukraine before September 30, according to sources familiar with the matter, as reported by Reuters.

The Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), a key component of the $61 billion aid package approved in April, allows the president to transfer defense goods and services from US stockpiles in response to emergencies.

The PDA has been the primary mechanism used by the Biden administration to supply weapons to Ukraine. On August 23, the administration announced a new military aid package worth $125 million, including air defense missiles, drone countermeasures, anti-tank missiles, and ammunition.

However, most of the $7.8 billion allocated under the legislation signed by Biden in April remains unutilized, prompting officials to seek a way to preserve the remaining $6 billion as the September 30 deadline—marking the end of the 2024 fiscal year—approaches.

Sources close to the negotiations told Reuters that the State Department hopes to include an extension of the authority in a Continuing Resolution—a short-term spending bill that the Senate and House of Representatives must pass this month to avoid a government shutdown on September 30.

Congressional aides, who requested anonymity to discuss ongoing negotiations, insist that a resolution will be reached given the strong bipartisan support for aiding Ukraine.

Congressional sources noted that while the exact reason for the slowdown in weapons deliveries to Ukraine this year is unclear, it is partly due to concerns within the US Department of Defense about depleting its own stockpiles and issues within the arms industry's supply chain.

Lawmakers from both parties who support Ukraine emphasized the importance of continuing this support.

As negotiations with Congress continue, the administration is considering a contingency plan under which the State Department would make a significant aid announcement before September 30, effectively expending the remaining $6 billion before the program’s expiration.

According to sources, this backup plan would involve extending the delivery timelines for weapons and equipment, allowing for a more gradual transfer of resources to Ukraine.