The White House is asking for $2.2bn (€2.08bn) for low-enriched uranium (LEU) and high-assay low-enriched uranium (Haleu) enrichment capabilities as it increases efforts to bolster domestic capabilities and cut Russia out of the market.

The request was included in a list of funding priorities for “critical domestic needs” sent to Congress for consideration as legislators restart the stalled annual appropriations process.

To ensure that investment in domestic Haleu enrichment pays off, the White House is also calling for a long-term ban on enriched uranium from Russia.