The massive spending bill working its way through Congress ahead of a Friday-night deadline contains $13.6 billion in aid for Ukraine, split among defense, humanitarian, and economic aid for the country as it fights Russia’s invasion.
The small portion of the $1.5 trillion bill for fiscal 2022 allotted to Ukraine received bipartisan support as an emergency addition to domestic budget items.
The bill will in part “provide assistance, including training; equipment; lethal assistance; logistics support, supplies and services; salaries and stipends; sustainment; and intelligence support to the military and national security forces of Ukraine,” according to the text of the bill released early Wednesday morning.
LAWMAKERS REACH DEAL ON $1.5 SPENDING BILL TO AVOID GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AND AID UKRAINE
The defense contribution accounts for over $6.5 billion of the supplement, with $3 billion allotted for the transfer of defense equipment such as weapons and planes from the United States to Ukraine.
Nearly $4 billion will go through the State Department to assist with refugee aid and to support surrounding countries affected by the crisis, the House Appropriations Committee summarized. Additionally, about $2.8 billion will be distributed by the U.S. Agency for International Development for more humanitarian aid.
Also included are smaller allotments ranging from agricultural and electrical grid support to cybersecurity and sanctions enforcement.
“The agreement will invest $13.6 billion in Emergency Supplemental Funding for Ukraine security and humanitarian needs,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a joint statement on Wednesday.
“The brave, freedom-loving people of Ukraine and our allies in the region will receive urgently needed investments to fight Vladimir Putin and the Russian’s illegal and immoral invasion,” said the Democratic leaders.
The bill needs to pass the House before being approved by the Senate by 12:01 a.m. Saturday in order to prevent a government shutdown. Some Republican members expressed frustration that the full text of the 2,741-page bill was released only hours before the scheduled vote, with some calls to vote for Ukraine funding separately from the rest of the bill.
#SWAMPSPENDING THREAD: 1) We were sent vote times & “Omnibus” spending bill at 230AM. 2) It is 2700 pages & we vote at 1000AM. 4) Top-line spending appears to be $1.512 Trillion. 3) We are told it is a 6% increase year-over-year, NOT counting Ukraine or COVID Supp… (1/6)
— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) March 9, 2022
However, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said that the Ukraine provisions will move with the rest of the bill.
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“It’s been like pulling teeth to get out of House Democrats what the Ukrainians obviously need at this particular time,” McConnell said Tuesday night. “And we’ve been slow, much too slow, but the package, I gather, will be coming over from the House attached to the omni. I think it’s an important step. It needs to be passed, and it needs to be passed quickly.”
