The White House has asked Congress for $44 billion in emergency funding to help cover costs of the war in Ukraine, recent natural disasters, and operations at the southern U.S. border.

The White House has asked Congress for $44 billion in emergency funding to help cover costs of the war in Ukraine, recent natural disasters, and operations at the southern U.S. border. / AP

Congress faces a Sept. 30 deadline to agree on a short-term funding bill that would avert a government shutdown.

The White House has asked that $44 billion in extra emergency spending be tacked on to that bill.

It's far from a sure bet that the White House will get everything it is asking for. Last year, repeated requests from the Biden administration for extra funding for the COVID pandemic went unfulfilled.

Here's how this year's request breaks down.

Ukraine: $24 billion

This request faces resistance from some Republicans in the House, though the White House has said it's confident that there are enough votes to help support Ukraine in its efforts to push back Russia's invasion. The total includes:

  • $13.1 billion for military equipment and replenishing U.S. Department of Defense stockpiles as well as continued military, intelligence and other defense support
  • $8.5 billion for economic, humanitarian and security aid to Ukraine and other countries affected by the war
  • $2.3 billion for the World Bank

Federal Emergency Management Agency: $16 billion

The White House initially asked for $12 billion to replenish FEMA's depleted Disaster Relief Fund. But by the end of August — after wildfires on Maui and in Louisiana, flooding in Vermont, and a major hurricane in Florida — that was deemed insufficient. The new ask: $16 billion dollars.

Border security: $4 billion

The administration is looking for extra money for several departments to help deal with fentanyl trafficking and provide help to migrants at the southern U.S. border. This total includes:

  • $2.2 billion for Homeland Security for border management, shelter and services for migrants
  • $416 million for Homeland Security to counter fentanyl trafficking
  • $800 million for the State Department for migration needs
  • $350 million for Health and Human Services for prevention, treatment and recovery services for fentanyl

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Tags: appropriations  FEMA  government spending  Ukraine  Joe Biden