President Biden delivers remarks during an event on Sept. 2. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images
The White House on Friday asked Congress for $47 billion in emergency funding to assist the administration’s efforts in fighting COVID-19 and monkeypox, supporting Ukraine and responding to natural disasters.
Why it matters: The request comes as lawmakers on Capitol Hill face a September deadline to fund the government, carrying with it the risk of a government shutdown just before midterm elections, per the Washington Post.
Driving the news: The largest request is $22.4 billion in COVID-19 funding, which would support testing, research on vaccines and therapeutics, preparations for future variants and assisting in the global response to the virus.
- “While we have made tremendous progress in our ability to protect against and treat COVID-19, we must stay on our front foot,” Shalanda Young, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, said in Friday’s request.
- “Doing so requires additional resources, which is why today we are updating our previous funding request.”
- The White House also seeks $3.9 billion to assist the administration’s monkeypox response “to help ensure ready access to vaccinations, testing, treatment, and operational support for the American people.”
- Biden also asked for $600 million to fight monkeypox globally.
- The White House asked for $11.7 billion to support Ukraine “as they defend their sovereignty,” with $4.5 billion for defense equipment.
- Finally, the White House is seeking $6.5 billion for natural disaster response efforts, including to support Kentucky after a deadly flooding.
What to watch: The administration is requesting that the funding be part of a short-term measure, known as a continuing resolution, that would fund the government past Sept. 30, NPR reports.
What they’re saying: “This administration will continue to work with members of both parties in Congress to meet these critical needs for the American people, and we look forward to reaching a bipartisan funding agreement that advances national priorities in the coming fiscal year,” Young said.
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