Ukraine’s troops ration ammo as Congress debates aid

Democratic leaders implore House speaker to act on bipartisan bill.

WASHINGTON — Ukrainian drones fly without ammunition. Russian artillery unleash deadly volleys from safe positions beyond the range of Kyiv’s troops. Shortages of ammo and supplies are resulting in lost ground to Moscow, U.S. congressional leaders warn, yet the Republican-controlled House has shown little hurry to resupply Ukraine with military aid.

Across Washington, officials are viewing the drop-off in ammunition shipments with increasing alarm. It’s now been more than two months since the U.S. — which since World War II has fashioned itself as the “Arsenal of Democracy” — last sent military supplies to Ukraine.

But House Speaker Mike Johnson appears determined to chart his own course away from a $95billion foreign aid package passed by the Senate — a decision that could stall the package for weeks to come after an already arduous monthslong wait in Congress.

With U.S. military shipments cut off, Ukrainian troops withdrew from the eastern city of Avdiivka last month, where outnumbered defenders had withheld a Russian assault for four months. Delays in military support from the West are complicating the task for Kyiv’s military tacticians, forcing troops to ration ammunition and ultimately costing the lives of Ukrainian soldiers.

“If Ukraine gets the aid they will win. If they don’t get the aid, they will lose — with dire consequences to the United States,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who visited Ukraine last week.

Defense officials are discussing options, which include possibly tapping existing stockpiles even before Congress approves funding to replenish them, according to Sen. Jack Reed, the chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

And at a White House meeting this week, President Joe Biden, the two top Democrats in Congress and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell all took turns intensely urging Johnson to take up a Senate-passed package that would provide $60 billion worth of assistance for Kyiv.

So far, the Republican speaker has refused.

The Louisiana Republican — just four months into the powerful job as speaker, second in the line to the presidency — is under intense pressure from all sides. The leaders of 23 European parliaments have signed an open letter urging him to pass the aid. And within his own House ranks, senior Republicans are growing restive at the inaction, even as other far-right members have threatened to try to remove him from leadership if he advances the aid for Kyiv.

“The House is actively considering options on a path forward, but our first responsibility is to fund the government and our primary, overriding responsibility — and it has been for the last three years — has been to secure the border,” Johnson said at a news conference.

Johnson responded to the pressure on Ukraine by saying the House had only received the funding legislation in mid-February after the Senate took four months to negotiate, including enforcement policies at the U.S.-Mexico border. The deal on border security swiftly collapsed after Republicans, including Johnson, criticized the proposal as insufficient. Yet Johnson and other House Republicans are once again hoping to secure some policy wins on border security.

When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Congress late last year, he told Johnson the military aid would last into February. But as Congress entered March, Johnson so far has allowed House members to craft their own proposals and revealed little on his plans for the package.

“We’re beyond the time frame that this should have taken, this analysis and careful consideration by the House should have been completed before the end of the year or very shortly after the new year,” said Rep. French Hill, an Arkansas Republican.

Hill and several other senior Republicans are pressing Johnson to act by crafting a new national security package in the House. That bill, which is being drafted by Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul and key appropriators, is expected to come in less than the $95 billion Senate package but include many similar provisions — including money Ukraine, Israel and Indo-Pacific allies could use to purchase U.S. military equipment, as well as some humanitarian assistance.

It may also include a version of the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians, or REPO Act, which would allow the U.S. to tap frozen Russian central bank assets to compensate Ukraine for damages from the invasion, Hill said. He said it would save taxpayer dollars in the long run and help gain Republican votes in the House.

“This is more a matter of finding out the way to move forward,” said seasoned Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., the chairman of the House Rules Committee. “But a substantial majority of both houses of Congress wants to help Ukraine. You had 70 over there,” he said about the robust Senate support, “and the vote here will be well north of 300.”

Imagine a stranger sends you images from a police video cam showing your mentally ill sister living under the steps of a parking garage. Then imagine you spend the next couple of years being told repeatedly and correctly that “there is nothing you can do” to get her the mental health treatment she needs.

Sadly, for my sister, her two children and the rest of our family, none of the aforementioned was imaginary. At age 76, my older sister died a lonely death last year in Florida, where she had gone to escape her demons, never having received the mental health care so desperately needed. Regretfully, absent significant policy changes, the homeless and their families in Georgia are susceptible to a similar fate.

By all outward appearances, my sister Jo Franklin Trout was remarkably successful. Producer of the “MacNeil/Lehrer Report” on PBS as a young woman (predecessor to “PBS Newshour”), she also produced documentaries mainly focused on the Middle East. Her success and glamour gave cover

George Franklin for the mental disorders that would eventually take control of her.

Her delusional descent would cause her marriage to dissolve and estrangement from her ex-husband, children and extended family despite attempts to connect with her. But none of us ever thought she’d become a homeless bag lady.

There are great strides underway in Atlanta and throughout Georgia to address the homeless crisis. As The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development was awarding the state a $58 million grant for a variety of programs to combat homelessness.

In addition, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens announced an ambitious $7.5 million fund to create additional housing, maintain existing facilities for the homeless and increase emergency shelter capacity. These are worthy endeavors that by all accounts will make a difference.

All of this government activity is being augmented by an array of nonprofit and philanthropic organizations on the front lines. For example, Catholic Charities of Atlanta — don’t let the name mislead you, as it helps everyone, regardless of religious or nonreligious affiliation — aids the homeless and does wonderful work.

But getting those in their care into treatment for their illness is a challenge. The charity tells the story of Andrew, who somehow managed to get his nonworking car towed to its parking lot and proceeded to live in the car with his dog. They cared for him and the dog as best they could, but no amount of coaxing could get Andrew into a treatment program. Eventually, the landlord ordered the car towed, and they see Andrew now and then on the streets. Ironically, he refers many of his fellow homeless to Catholic Charities for help.

Another Atlanta nonprofit dealing with the homeless is Crossroads Community Ministries, whose mission is to “provide access to resources that empower people experiencing homelessness to progress on the road toward economic and personal stability.” They too, however, are often frustrated by the inability to get those in need to accept mental health treatment. Their programs include meals, mail service and help in obtaining identification. The programs are designed to create engagement and relationships, which can be used by counselors to cajole them into seeking appropriate treatment. It is a challenging task that they compassionately undertake with every individual in need and utilizing their services.

Despite all these good efforts, there is a legal impediment that stymies progress with many of the neediest. It was the reason I was to find out there was “nothing” I could do. In Georgia, Florida and most every other state, for an individual to be directed to mental health treatment, they must be a threat to themselves or others or agree to treatment. The problem with this requirement is that since they are mentally ill, they’re incapable of consenting to be treated for an illness they don’t understand they have. It is the ultimate Catch-22.

Not only is the requirement nonsensical, but it flies in the face of how we treat other illnesses. If someone collapses on the street and is unconscious, we don’t wait until they come to and then ask them if they would like to be taken to the hospital. What we do is call an ambulance and take them to receive medical treatment. My sister was essentially mentally unconscious for years, but I couldn’t call and get her treated. No ambulance would pull up and take her where she needed to go.

Finally, one state has passed legislation to address this issue. In October, California began implementation of the CARE, or Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment Act. Briefly, it gives standing to family members, social service organizations and others to request from a CARE court a plan for homeless individuals that can last up to 24 months. The law focuses on people with schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders, who may also have substance abuse challenges and lack medical decision-making capacity. The legislation provides procedural and due process safeguards, offering help for those most in need or who otherwise will be relegated to life on the streets.

My sister was one of the “lucky ones.” Through a group of wonderful customers in a local Starbucks in Florida who befriended her, we were able to trick her into thinking she was apartment sitting for one of the customers in a place we rented for her. She was lucky in that she died in July 2023 with a roof over her head instead of under the steps in a garage. Many aren’t that fortunate.

I am sure the CARE Act is no panacea and can be improved. As a lawyer, I understand the civil liberties issues already raised in court and anticipate more legal challenges.

Regardless, as a brother, I am haunted by the practical reality there was “nothing” I could do. I beseech Gov. Brian Kemp and legislators under the Gold Dome to tackle this issue in bipartisan fashion so Georgia families in the future don’t end up in a position where there is nothing they can do.

J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE/AP Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson refuses to bring up a bill passed by the Senate to provide vital assistance to Ukraine and other allies.

COURTESY George Franklin of Atlanta poses in 1961 with his late older sister Jo Franklin Trout, who lived on the streets after a career at PBS. As her life began to unravel, Franklin tried to help but says the law limited his ability to intervene.