On Monday, the Biden administration unveiled its plans to dispatch an additional $200 million in military aid to Ukraine, a decision not met with universal approval. This financial support comes on the heels of a White House request for Congress to greenlight a further $24 billion in aid to Ukraine, supplementing the $113 billion already allocated.
The aid payments are set against growing American skepticism about continued funding to Ukraine. As a recent CNN poll highlighted, 55% of Americans now believe Congress should withhold additional aid for Ukraine, with 51% arguing that the U.S. has already made a sufficient contribution.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken justified the latest aid package, stating that Russia’s actions are causing devastation in Ukraine, from the loss of civilian lives to the destruction of Ukraine’s grain infrastructure, thereby increasing global food insecurity.
Yet, while the Biden administration emphasizes the importance of combating hunger in Ukraine, the issue of hunger remains all too real on home soil.
This is unacceptable. @tedcruz @chiproytx, I hope you guys call the chain of command and get some answers and some heads rolling. https://t.co/3JgplSsSVT
— 3Gun Gorilla (@GomesBolt) August 10, 2023
Fort Cavazos, previously known as Fort Hood and one of the U.S. Army’s largest bases, has been grappling with serious food supply challenges for months. A report from Military.com revealed that the base in Texas had only two out of its ten primary dining facilities in full operation for a significant part of the summer. A shortage of Army cooks, many of whom are away on deployments and other commitments, lies at the crux of this issue.
The scarcity of open dining facilities has put considerable strain on soldiers, many of whom have to embark on an hour’s round trip to get their meals. For those without personal vehicles, and given the limited shuttle service, this situation becomes even more untenable. An unnamed noncommissioned officer lamented the challenges, saying, “For months, one dining facility was open and was a more than 30-minute drive for my soldiers.”
Furthermore, the Army’s quality-of-life initiatives, which focus on improving dining facilities, have seemingly stagnated. Despite discussions about introducing healthier food options and employing civilians to run these facilities, tangible progress is absent. One solution the Army is considering is permitting soldiers to use meal cards at non-military eateries on the base, a program being tested at Fort Drum, New York.
Our military’s dedication and sacrifice are unparalleled. Meeting their basic needs should always remain a top priority. It is only fitting that, while the Biden administration extends taxpayer generosity abroad, we ensure that our servicemen and women can eat regularly while on active duty.
