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MemoMemorandumBiden · D

Presidential Memorandum

Delegation of Authority Under Section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961

This memorandum delegates presidential authority to the Secretary of State to direct a drawdown of up to $500 million in Defense Department articles, services, and military education/training to provide assistance to Ukraine under Section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. It requires publication in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 88 FR 23557

Impact dates

  1. Federal Register publication filed

Key directives

  • Delegate authority under Section 506(a)(1) of FAA to Secretary of State
  • Authorize drawdown of up to $500 million in DoD defense articles, services, and military education/training for Ukraine
  • Authorize Secretary of State to make required determinations for such drawdown
  • Direct publication in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Delegation of authority to Secretary of State takes effect
  • Authorization for $500 million drawdown becomes exercisable

Near term (90d)

  • Potential execution of defense articles/services drawdown
  • Federal Register publication (filed April 14, 2023)

Long term

  • Continued U.S. security assistance to Ukraine
  • Potential future drawdown requests if ceiling reached

Risks & tensions

  • Drawdown authority reduces presidential control over specific transfers; potential interagency tension between State and Defense on execution
  • $500 million ceiling may be exhausted quickly given Ukraine conflict intensity; unclear if this is cumulative or standalone
  • Document does not specify whether this supplements or replaces prior delegations
Presidential Memorandum: Delegation of Authority Under Section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 · Executive Orders