Senate Passes $1.5 Trillion Spending Bill With $14 Billion For Ukraine Aid—Here’s What’s In It
Topline
After months of negotiations to fund the federal government, the Senate on Thursday handed a $1.5 trillion omnibus spending invoice that can shore up funding for the remainder of the fiscal 12 months, whereas additionally doling out money for Ukraine in its struggle in opposition to Russia, extra scholar assist, cybersecurity and extra.
The U.S. Capitol constructing.
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Key Details
The huge spending bundle, which might acceptable funds for the federal government till September 30, handed the Senate on Thursday night in a bipartisan vote of 68 to 31, with 18 Republicans becoming a member of all Democrats voting in help.
It cleared the Home on Wednesday night in equally bipartisan votes of 361–69 for the protection portion of the invoice and 260–171 for non-defense spending.
Headlining the 2,741-page invoice, about $782 billion is allotted for navy spending underneath the Protection Division, whereas a further $125 billion has been allotted to the Division of Veterans Affairs.
Along with funding day-to-day authorities operations, the invoice appropriates about $13.6 billion in emergency assist for Ukraine because it fights off a Russian invasion, with $4 billion to assist displaced refugees, $6.5 billion for navy help and $1.8 billion for any macroeconomic wants, according to the Home Committee on Appropriations.
It additionally grants company requests for various new provisions, together with a $400 improve to the utmost Pell Grant award, and practically $7 billion to ascertain an company underneath the Nationwide Institutes of Well being tasked with constructing “high-risk, high-reward” applied sciences for illness analysis.
Amongst different provisions are the reauthorization of the Violence Towards Girls Act, which expired in 1994 and offered funds to assist prosecute violent crimes in opposition to ladies; a measure to offer the Meals and Drug Administration regulatory authority over artificial nicotine; and cybersecurity protections to assist curb the danger of infrastructure assaults.
What did not make the lower? About $16 billion for Covid aid, together with assessments, vaccines and coverings, was stripped from the invoice following last-minute disagreements over easy methods to fund the supply—a transfer Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) referred to as “heartbreaking” on Wednesday as she pledged “to struggle for urgently wanted Covid help” in separate laws slated for a vote as early as subsequent week.
Key Background
Congress did not cross a funds for the fiscal 12 months by the tip of final September, forcing lawmakers to cross a sequence of momentary measures to keep away from a authorities shutdown. An omnibus mixed with a Covid aid bundle was signed into regulation in late December 2020 and set present funding ranges for many federal applications, in response to the Committee for a Accountable Federal Finances. The newest persevering with decision was enacted in mid-February to fund the federal government till Friday, whereas lawmakers hammered out disagreements.
What To Watch For
The invoice now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk for signing. He’s anticipated to take action earlier than present funding is ready to run out Friday night.
Essential Quote
“The bipartisan funding invoice proves as soon as extra that members of each events can come collectively to ship outcomes for the American individuals,” White Home Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated in an announcement late Thursday night time. “It should scale back prices for households and companies, help our financial restoration, and advance American management overseas.”
Additional Studying
Senate Passes Final-Minute Invoice To Stop Authorities Shutdown (Forbes)
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