Charted: Biden pitches GOP on manufacturing benefits from Ukraine aid
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The Biden administration is making an economic appeal to Republicans skeptical of supporting aid to Ukraine, releasing data that shows some of the biggest defense contracts related to the war effort are located in red states.
Why it matters: As part of its full-court press to pass President Biden's $106 billion request for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and border security, the White House warned Congress on Monday that the U.S. will run out of resources to support Ukraine by the end of the year.
State of play: A growing number of Republicans are already reluctant to signing off on additional aid for Ukraine, citing opposition from the GOP base and the need to focus on domestic priorities.
- Bipartisan Senate negotiations that would pair Ukraine aid with U.S. border reforms broke down over the weekend over Republican demands to codify Trump-era asylum policies.
- The Pentagon has been circulating a map on Capitol Hill that breaks down U.S. spending on weapons systems, equipment and munitions by state — seeking to convince lawmakers of how their states would benefit from an additional $60 billion for Ukraine, Politico reported.
By the numbers: Six of the top 10 states receiving investment from four previous Ukraine packages are in states that former President Trump won in 2020.
- Some $1.6 billion has been obligated to Arkansas, which ranks No. 1 in the country, to either replace or manufacture weapons systems and munitions. An additional $703 million has been invested in new equipment and supply chains in Arkansas, bringing the state's total to $2.3 billion.
- Arkansas has emerged as one of the largest recipients of federal contracts, which have produced nearly $31 billion in investment across the country, according to the Pentagon.
- Arizona and Pennsylvania — critical swing states that Biden managed to flip in 2020 by slim margins — come in at No. 2 and No. 3.
