News

Congress Clears Stopgap Spending Bill With $12.3 Billion in Ukraine Aid


WASHINGTON – Congress gave final approval on Friday to a short-term spending package to keep government open through mid-December, and President Biden signed it shortly after, preventing a midnight shutdown and sending about $12.3 billion in military and economic aid to Ukraine.

The House of Representatives passed the measure less than 12 hours before the funding expired. It will keep the government open until December 16, giving lawmakers time to determine their significant difference in dozens of annual spending bills.

The package includes a third round of aid to Ukraine for its battle with Russia, out of a total of about $54 billion approved earlier this year. With Friday’s vote, Congress has now committed more military aid to Ukraine than any other country in a year since the Vietnam War, reflecting a notable bipartisan consensus in favor of Ukraine. pouring large amounts of American resources into the war as a nation. sought to regain much of its territory from Russia.

However, most House Republicans opposed the bill, which passed a largely partisan vote between 230 and 201. Ten Republicans joined every current Democrat. vote for the law.

The bill’s passage met the final legislative deadline facing Congress before the midterm elections in November. Lawmakers, eager to get back on the campaign trail, have vowed to address the issues. Disputes survive the annual legislation as part of an increasingly dense to-do list when the House and Senate return in November.

“The investments included in this measure are urgent and necessary to avoid disruption to critical federal agencies, get communities back on their feet, ensure we have the time we need to negotiate a funding deal that ultimately meets the needs of hard workers,” said Representative Rosa DeLauro, Democrat of Connecticut, chair of the Appropriations Committee.

However, Republican leaders have advised their convention to oppose the package. Although some Senate Republicans supported the package when it passed on Thursday, House Republicans argued it failed to address their priorities, including providing a significant increase to the army and save resources on the southern border.

Representative Kay Granger of Texas, the top Republican on the Appropriations Committee, chastised Democrats for a bill she said “is rushing through the House of Representatives today, with only a few hours left to go.” hours to avoid a government shutdown.”

Representative Tom Cole, Republican of Oklahoma, said: “It is unfortunate that we have to wait until the last minute to fund the government. Mr Cole, a longtime member of the appropriations panel, added, “We shouldn’t be in this situation – both sides have done this, I’ll give it to my friend – but it’s a process. particularly serious.”

But the desire to avoid a government shutdown and help Ukraine was enough to muster the support needed to pass the measure. It will allocate $1.5 billion to replenish weapons and equipment previously sent to the country, and allow Biden to authorize the transfer of up to $3.7 billion in equipment and weapons. of America.

It will also provide $3 billion in equipment, weapons and military support, as well as $4.5 billion for the Ukrainian government to continue operating throughout the war.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California said: “This package comes at a critical time, pointing to Ukraine’s recent success in retrieving land that has been seized by Russia and the pledges of support that she and the Biden administration have made. perform. “With this addition, we take another powerful step toward honoring that commitment, the commitment of our country.”

Lawmakers agreed to address a number of domestic needs, including $20 million to aid recovery from water crisis in Jackson, Miss., and $2 billion for a community-based grant program designed to help with disaster relief efforts in 2021 and 2022.

It also guarantees a 5 year extension Agreement “user fee” that the Food and Drug Administration relies on as part of its budget and set aside $1 billion for a program that will help lower income families with heating and energy costs in the coming months.

The law also gives the federal government more flexibility in spending existing disaster relief funds in the coming weeks, even as lawmakers acknowledge that a separate round of emergency aid is likely. in the coming weeks to deal with the devastation left by the storm. southwest Florida and Puerto Rico.

“This short-term funding bill will keep the government open and responsive to a range of critical needs – from helping communities recover from extreme weather events, supporting Ukraine, helping with implementation. our promises and commitments to our Afghan allies and partners, etc.” speak Shalanda Young, director of the Office of Management and Budget. She added, “We look forward to working with Congress to get this done for the American people.”

However, to ensure there is enough Republican support for the measure to pass the Senate, Democrats have agreed to set aside billions of dollars in emergency funds to help tackle the coronavirus pandemic and the spread of the virus. spread of monkeypox across the country. Republicans have refused to consider setting aside more emergency money for previously approved aid that has yet to be used by Congress.

Democrats also abandoned the energy infrastructure plan that was originally included at the request of Senator Joe Manchin III of West Virginia, a conservative Democrat, as part of the deal. won his vote last month on the party’s main tax, health and climate package. Dozens of House Democrats have called for the energy plan to be scrapped and reviewed separately, and senior lawmakers have said they will review the plan once Congress returns in mid-March. November.

news7f

News7F: Update the world's latest breaking news online of the day, breaking news, politics, society today, international mainstream news .Updated news 24/7: Entertainment, Sports...at the World everyday world. Hot news, images, video clips that are updated quickly and reliably

Related Articles

Back to top button