Report finds U.S. tax dollars being used to fund businesses, not just military in Ukraine

US Pres. Biden & Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy at White House Oval office Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023.(AP photo-Evan Vucci)

WASHINGTON (TND) — As the war in Ukraine rages on for its second year, thousands of miles away, in Washington, the battle about that war, and how much and whether to support it, carries on as well.

The U.S. has already contributed nearly $44 billion in military aid and now, there are new revelations from CBS News that an additional $25 billion in U.S tax dollars is funding things like seed and fertilizer for Ukrainian farmers, and covering the salaries of first responders there.

CBS Correspondent Holly Williams reported, “Russia’s invasion shrank the Ukrainian economy by a third. We were surprised that to keep it afloat, the U.S. is subsidizing small businesses.

Critics argue the American economy is also in need of resources, including for this country’s small businesses.

In an interview with Sinclair Tuesday, Elaine Parker, chief communications officer with the Job Creators Network, said, “Right now, those businesses are suffering under inflation, high gas prices and they don’t have any access to credit because of the rapid rise of interest rates and the president needs to focus on our small business owners here at home.”

Others pointing to the need for more assistance at the southern border, in the midst of massive surge in migrants arriving every day. Some also point to the need for resources as thousands elsewhere still dying from fentanyl overdoses and the opioid crisis. All of these concernhs also come as the country braces for a likely government shutdown.

If there’s a shutdown, U.S. government workers will not be paid. But Ukrainian workers will be paid by the U.S. taxpayer,” Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said in an interview with Fox News Monday. “There’s nothing in the constitution that allows for spending like this to another country.

Paul has vowed to prevent future aid from passing, as others warn of the consequences of cutting off support.

On Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., told reporters “We cannot let Putin win—without aid, Ukraine could run the very strong risk of being defeated.”

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky, who appeared alongside Schumer in meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Capitol Hill last week, agreed.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, center, with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, of Ky., left, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., right, speaks briefly to the media after meeting with members of Congress, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)