Senate Armed Services Committee:
The Honorable Jack Reed
728 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Mr. Chairman Jack Reed,
I am writing to express my urgent concern regarding the $6.2 billion in military aid for Ukraine that remains unutilized under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA). As you are aware, the PDA is a critical mechanism that enables the U.S. President to swiftly transfer military equipment from U.S. stockpiles to allied nations without requiring additional congressional approval. This authority, essential for providing timely support to Ukraine, is at risk of expiring on September 30, 2024.
Since the enactment of the "61 Billion Dollar for Ukraine" bill on April 24, 2024, only about $1.7 billion of the $7.8 billion authorized for fiscal year 2024 under the PDA has been utilized. At the current pace, approximately $6 billion in military aid could expire unused, a scenario that would severely undermine Ukraine’s defense at a critical moment in their struggle against aggression.
The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated. The PDA has been instrumental in delivering the rapid military aid that Ukraine desperately needs. However, the incremental approach currently adopted by the administration risks leaving a significant portion of these essential funds unutilized.
Given the strategic importance of supporting Ukraine, I urge you to take immediate action to ensure the timely and full utilization of the remaining PDA funds. Specifically, I request that you, as Chairman of the Armed Services and Appropriations Committees, advocate for the following swift actions:
- Direct Oversight Hearings: Hold immediate oversight hearings to assess the Department of Defense and the Department of State’s actions and timelines regarding the disbursement of PDA funds. These hearings should focus on identifying bottlenecks and ensuring that remaining funds are distributed without delay.
- Expedited Notification Process: Push for the Department of State to streamline and expedite the congressional notification process required for PDA disbursements, ensuring that all available funds are committed before the September 30 deadline.
- Emergency Authorization for Rapid Deployment: Recommend emergency authorization measures that allow for the rapid deployment of the remaining PDA funds to Ukraine. This could include bypassing standard procedures that delay the release of aid, thereby ensuring that critical military support reaches Ukraine in a timely manner.
- Immediate Coordination with Allies: Encourage the administration to coordinate closely with NATO and other allies to maximize the impact of the remaining PDA funds. This can include leveraging allied logistics, intelligence, and military resources to ensure that the aid is deployed efficiently and effectively.
- Public Reporting and Accountability: Request regular public reporting on the progress of PDA fund utilization. This transparency will help ensure accountability and keep the public informed about the efforts to support Ukraine.
These actions are critical not only for ensuring that Ukraine receives the military aid it urgently needs but also for demonstrating the United States' unwavering commitment to supporting its allies and upholding global security.
Moreover, in addition to the $1.7 billion already disbursed from the latest PDA, approximately $2.9 billion remains from previous appropriations, and a further $2 billion is expected to be returned to the PDA due to a recent accounting adjustment. This brings the total available PDA authority to approximately $11 billion, which must be deployed immediately to meet Ukraine’s urgent defense needs.
Allowing these funds to expire unused would not only weaken Ukraine’s ability to defend itself but also send a troubling signal about the United States' commitment to global security and democratic values.
I respectfully urge you to prioritize this matter and ensure that a comprehensive review of the Department of Defense and the Department of State’s actions is conducted to guarantee that the full extent of the PDA is utilized as intended by Congress. The stakes are too high for inaction.
Thank you for your attention to this critical issue. I trust in your leadership to ensure that the necessary steps are taken to support Ukraine at this crucial time.
Sincerely,