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Ukraine funding request sets up battle when Congress returns on August 10, 2023 at 8:55 pm Business News | The Hill

Published

1 year ago

August 10, 2023

The White House’s latest request for additional funding for Ukraine is likely to add fuel to the already contentious spending debate when Congress returns in September.

The White House on Thursday asked Congress for $13.1 billion in supplemental funding for the Department of Defense in response to the war in Ukraine. That includes funding for equipment, military and intelligence support.

The White House additionally requested $8.5 billion in funding for the State Department and the United States Agency for International Development, which includes $7.3 billion in “economic, humanitarian, and security assistance” for Ukraine and other impacted countries.

The White House is seeking the dollars to be greenlit as part of a potential short-term funding bill, also known as a continuing resolution (CR), that many lawmakers expect Congress needs to pass by the end of September to prevent a government shutdown.

“I think there’s a very good chance that we’ll see a CR, but I know there’s a lot of work to get a CR done,” Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.), who serves on the House Appropriations Committee, recently told The Hill, noting there are “a lot of members who don’t want CRs that are tired of them.”

The Ukraine funding is likely to add a complication.

Some conservatives have expressed opposition to any short-term bill that keeps funding at fiscal 2023 levels, and some have also opposed sending additional money to Ukraine. In a narrowly divided House, their opposition could be enough to sink any partisan spending bill.

The request could also widen the rift between the House and Senate, which are already crafting bills at different spending levels after hard-line conservatives in the House pushed back on a deal struck between President Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has insisted the limits agreed to for defense spending were too low, while McCarthy signaled earlier this year that further funding for Ukraine would need to come through the annual appropriations process as opposed to a separate funding bill.

“The question to me is … why would you do a supplemental? We just passed an agreement. You work through the [appropriations process]. They’re trying to go around the agreement,” McCarthy said in June.

“If anyone thinks at the end of the day, ‘Ukraine needs money,’ you’re gonna have to show: What did we spend our money on? What is the plan for victory? And what do you need the money for? You don’t just go say, ‘Oh, go vote for some supplemental,’” he added.

In a letter to McCarthy last month, a group of 21 conservatives called on the Speaker to “publicly reject” the possibility of a supplemental Ukraine appropriations bill, while also pressing for GOP negotiators to mark up overall funding bills at far lower levels than the caps agreed upon between Biden and McCarthy.

At the same time, Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-Wash.) last month announced a deal struck with Republicans to add $13.7 billion in additional emergency funding on top of their appropriations bills. The proposal included $8 billion for defense programs and $5.7 billion for nondefense programs.

Senate appropriators on both sides of the aisle defended the move, with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) citing Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.

“It’s really an emergency, what Russia is doing, and Ukraine, with grain production,” Graham said then. “Wait until it hits the developing world. About half the developing world gives their grain needs from Ukraine.”

“There is a tsunami of problems flowing from the lack of food and this war caused by Russia and the money in this bill helps some,” he said at an appropriations hearing last month. “And it will encourage other countries to do more.”

The roughly $47 billion in direct security aid for Ukraine approved by Congress last year is drying up.

The latest packages in June and July have inched closer and closer to the end of the pile of approved money, even as Ukraine’s war with Russia continues in full force.

Ukrainian forces are in the midst of one of the hardest battles in the war yet, struggling to overcome entrenched Russian lines in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region.

The slow pace of Ukraine’s counteroffensive might add to the tensions expected to play out on the House floor from more conservative lawmakers who are opposed to funding Ukraine’s military needs.

But House Republicans have maintained there is still strong support for Ukraine in the lower chamber.

Republican leaders in the House Armed Services and House Foreign Affairs committees have also called for more advanced weapons to Ukraine, including Army Tactical Missile System and F-16 fighter jets.

Several GOP-backed efforts aimed at reining in U.S. involvement in the war through an annual defense policy bill also failed after a majority of the conference voted against the initiatives.

Still, public support for Ukraine has dropped since last year, with a CNN poll last week that found 55 percent of Americans don’t approve of sending more aid to Ukraine.

Republicans in the poll were less supportive of sending more aid to Ukraine than Democrats, with 71 percent in the GOP against and 38 percent of Democrats who said the same.

Appropriations, Business, Defense, Policy The White House’s latest request for additional funding for Ukraine is likely to add fuel to the already contentious spending debate when Congress returns in September. The White House on Thursday asked Congress for $13.1 billion in supplemental funding for the Department of Defense in response to the war in Ukraine. That includes funding for…

Business

When TikTok and CapCut Vanished from America

Published

3 weeks ago

January 19, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

In a shocking turn of events, TikTok and CapCut, two of America’s most popular social media and video editing apps, vanished from U.S. app stores and became inaccessible to users on Saturday evening, January 18, 2025. This unprecedented digital blackout affected approximately 170 million American users, leaving them stunned and searching for alternatives.

The Sudden Shutdown

As the clock struck 10:50 PM Eastern Time on Saturday, both TikTok and CapCut disappeared from Apple and Google app stores. Users attempting to access the apps were greeted with a stark message: “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now”.

The ban wasn’t limited to just TikTok and CapCut. Other ByteDance-owned apps, including Lemon8, Hypic, and Gauth, also became unavailable to U.S. users. This sweeping action effectively cut off access to a suite of popular digital tools that millions had come to rely on for entertainment, content creation, and even business purposes.

The Legal Battle

The shutdown came after a tumultuous legal battle that culminated in a Supreme Court decision upholding a federal law requiring ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok and CapCut, to either sell its U.S. operations or face a ban. The legislation, passed in April 2024, cited national security concerns related to data privacy and potential foreign influence.

Impact on Users and Creators

The sudden disappearance of TikTok and CapCut has left content creators and everyday users in a state of digital limbo. Many relied on these platforms not just for entertainment, but as essential tools for their livelihoods and creative expression. The ban has disrupted a thriving ecosystem of digital content creation, leaving millions to scramble for alternative platforms and editing tools.

Political Implications and Future Uncertainties

As the dust settles, all eyes are on the incoming administration. President-elect Donald Trump, set to take office on January 20, has hinted at a potential 90-day extension for ByteDance to sell TikTok. This development has injected a new layer of uncertainty into an already complex situation.

What’s Next?

While the apps remain inaccessible, ByteDance and TikTok officials continue to work towards a resolution. TikTok’s message to users ends on a hopeful note, stating, “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned”.

As America grapples with this digital void, questions about data privacy, national security, and the future of social media regulation loom large. The TikTok and CapCut ban marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over the influence of foreign-owned technology companies in the United States, with far-reaching implications for users, creators, and the tech industry as a whole.

Bolanle Media covers a wide range of topics, including film, technology, and culture. Our team creates easy-to-understand articles and news pieces that keep readers informed about the latest trends and events. If you’re looking for press coverage or want to share your story with a wider audience, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us today to discuss how we can help bring your news to life.

Business

TikTok Ban Drives 216% Rise in U.S. Users Learning Chinese on Duolingo

Published

3 weeks ago

January 16, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Duolingo has reported a remarkable 216% increase in U.S. users learning Mandarin Chinese, coinciding with the impending ban on TikTok, set to take effect on January 19, 2025. This surge is attributed to many TikTok users migrating to a new Chinese social media platform called RedNote (also known as Xiaohongshu), which defaults to Mandarin as its primary language. As TikTok users seek alternatives amidst concerns over data privacy and app availability, they are turning to RedNote, prompting a cultural exchange that has driven interest in learning Chinese.

The spike in Mandarin learners began around mid-January, aligning with the growing popularity of RedNote among former TikTok users. Duolingo’s marketing team has actively engaged with this trend on social media, humorously acknowledging the phenomenon with posts like “Learning Mandarin out of spite? You’re not alone”.

Additionally, Duolingo has seen a 36% increase in downloads in the U.S., reflecting heightened consumer demand for language learning resources as users adapt to the new social media landscape.

The transition from TikTok to RedNote has not been without challenges, as some users have encountered technical issues during registration and account suspensions.

Nevertheless, this shift underscores a significant demand for social networking experiences that resonate with American users while navigating the complexities of Chinese platforms.

Business

TikTok’s Final Countdown: The Sunday Shutdown

Published

3 weeks ago

January 16, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

As the clock ticks down to January 19, 2025, TikTok users in the United States are bracing for a significant disruption. The app, which boasts approximately 170 million users in the country, faces a potential ban that could render it non-functional by this Sunday. Here’s what you need to know about the impending ban and its implications.

Key Details of the Ban

The anticipated ban comes amid ongoing national security concerns regarding TikTok’s Chinese ownership. Government officials have raised alarms about the possibility of sensitive user data being accessed by Chinese authorities. As a result, the app is expected to be removed from digital app stores, effectively cutting off new downloads and updates.

What Will Happen?

Removal from App Stores: On January 19, TikTok will likely be taken down from platforms like the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Existing Users Affected: Current users may find that their app becomes non-functional, losing access to new content creation and updates.
Data Preservation Challenges: Users may face difficulties in preserving their data and content as the deadline approaches.

Recommendations for Users

In light of the impending ban, TikTok users should take proactive steps to safeguard their content and data:

Download Personal Data: Users can access their TikTok settings to download their data before it’s too late.
Export Saved Videos: Save any cherished videos or content that you wish to keep.
Backup Content: Consider backing up your videos on alternative platforms.
Explore Alternatives: As TikTok faces its potential shutdown, consider migrating to other platforms such as:

Instagram Reels
YouTube Shorts
Lemon8
Triller

Potential Scenarios

While the ban is set for this Sunday, there are several scenarios that could unfold in the coming days:

Last-Minute Legal Intervention: There remains a possibility of a legal challenge that could delay or halt the ban.
Temporary Injunction: Courts may issue a temporary injunction allowing TikTok to operate while legal proceedings continue.
Complete Shutdown: If no intervention occurs, users will face a complete shutdown of the platform in the U.S. market.

Emotional Impact on Users

The potential ban is not just a technical disruption; it carries significant emotional weight for many users. Content creators who have built their brands on TikTok may experience economic repercussions as they lose a primary platform for engagement. Additionally, the shift could lead to broader changes in the social media landscape as users seek new avenues for expression and connection.

Conclusion

As we approach this critical deadline, TikTok users should remain vigilant and prepared for possible changes. Whether through legal maneuvers or a complete shutdown, the future of TikTok in the United States hangs in the balance. Stay tuned for real-time updates as we navigate this evolving situation together.