The Biden administration's request for more time to send unused $6B to Ukraine is met with groans from Republicans.

If Congress fails to act, billions of dollars allocated for Ukraine will expire at the end of the month, as per a warning from the Biden administration.

The $61 billion in funding Congress passed for Ukraine in April has not been fully utilized, with 10% remaining unspent. The White House is requesting Congress to extend its Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) to provide aid to Ukraine beyond the Sept. 30 deadline.

Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, announced on Friday that Ukraine Presidential Drawdown Authority has $5.8 billion remaining, with only $100 million set to expire at the end of the fiscal year.

"The department plans to offer drawdown packages in the near future and is collaborating with Congress to request an extension of PDA authorities beyond the end of the fiscal year."

The Biden administration is requesting Congress to include an extension of its authority in a continuing resolution, which is necessary to keep the government running in fiscal year 2025. Officials have stated that they want the authority to be extended for another year.

Republican defense hawks expressed opposition to providing any additional resources to Ukraine, arguing that the funds should have been allocated prior to the deadline.

Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that there shouldn't be an extension request as they've had five months to spend the money.

A Republican senator stated that this is the latest instance of the Biden-Harris administration delaying assistance as Ukraine struggles to survive.

"President Biden can alter the trajectory of the war in Ukraine without seeking Congress's approval for a single additional cent. However, the current approach of providing support to Ukraine through a gradual process will only prolong the conflict and result in more casualties."

In April, Congress approved a $95 billion aid package, with $61 billion allocated for Ukraine. However, the White House had originally intended to distribute that money last year, but disagreements among House GOP members impeded the bill's passage.

Despite the Pentagon's claim of working with Congress to secure aid for Ukraine beyond the fiscal year, Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., the head of funding packages, stated that he hasn't received any communication from the White House regarding this matter.

""Nobody from the White House has contacted me regarding extending drawdown authority," he stated."

A congressional aide to a House committee revealed to Planet Chronicle Digital that discussions are taking place about PDA authorities in a CR.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R–La., faced opposition, including a threat to his job, when he passed funding for Ukraine. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., led a motion to remove him from his position, which was supported by 11 other Republicans.

If Congress does not renew the PDA, defense officials are exploring alternative ways to utilize the funds. They have stated that there is approximately $4 billion in long-term funding available through the Ukrainian Security Initiative, which will not expire until September 2025. However, this money is allocated for weapons contracts that will not be fulfilled until at least a year from now.

The Pentagon can use its own budget to send military aid to Ukraine through the PDA or reimburse for weapons it sends.

Last winter, the administration pleaded for more funds to send to Ukraine, but now their request for more time to spend money on Ukraine is a stark change.

New drawdown packages are regularly announced by the U.S., sometimes two to three a month. Officials have stated that the delay in providing aid to Ukraine can be attributed to a reluctance to deplete U.S. stockpiles, which could jeopardize domestic preparedness.

"Rep. Mark Alford, R-Mo., a member of the Armed Services Committee, stated that the $61 billion authorized for Ukraine has been squandered by the current weak president, who failed to take the money and armaments to Zelenskyy in a timely manner to win the war."

The administration's view of this war is slow and hesitant, as they lack trust in the Ukrainians and fear escalation, despite having surpassed many of Putin's red lines with no retaliation from the Russians, according to a senior GOP congressional aide.

"The administration's decision to backtrack on the implicit agreement to support the Ukrainians at a certain level and pace throughout 2024 is unacceptable, given the ongoing heavy fighting."

"A pro-Ukraine expert stated that anyone who has recently been to Ukraine can attest to the precarious situation on the frontline. The expert believes that aid should have been provided months ago and that the current situation should not have occurred. However, national security adviser Jake Sullivan thinks he can manage escalation."

The Republican-controlled House is set to vote on a CR that would maintain 2023 funding levels for six months on Wednesday, but this bill faces opposition from both sides of the aisle. If it fails to pass, GOP leadership will have to go back to the drawing board. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, has been pushing Johnson to collaborate with him on a bipartisan CR agreement, but no spending deals have been passed in the Senate yet.

The Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Chairs, Ben Cardin and Jack Reed, support Schumer's move to prioritize extending Ukraine funding.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R–La., stated that a negotiation cannot occur when only one side presents ideas. He emphasized the need for the Senate to contribute to the discussion, stating, "The Senate must act quickly. Why wait until the last minute to begin performing their duties?"