Presidential Drawdown Authority: Guidance Should Reflect Expanded Use

This report examines the unprecedented use of Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) to supply over $31 billion in military aid—primarily to Ukraine—since 2022. While the Defense Department has rapidly delivered weapons and equipment, oversight challenges have emerged, especially regarding budget impacts and strategic readiness risks. The GAO recommends updating DOD guidance to better assess how drawdowns affect operations and to ensure replacement needs are fully considered. Without these adjustments, there’s a growing risk to U.S. military readiness and transparency in foreign assistance.