The House is moving toward approving a massive spending bill anchored by $13.6 billion for battered Ukraine and its European allies
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi of Calif., speaks during her weekly news conference, Wednesday, March 9, 2022, on Capitol Hill in Washington. WASHINGTON — — The House moved Wednesday toward approving a massive spending bill anchored by $13.6 billion forafter top Democrats abruptly dropped their plan to also include fresh funds to battle COVID-19.
The Ukraine aid included $6.5 billion for the U.S. costs of sending troops and weapons to Eastern Europe and equipping allied forces there in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion and repeated, bellicose threats. There was another $6.8 billion to care for refugees and provide economic aid to allies, and more to help federal agencies enforce economic sanctions against Russia and protect against cyber threats at home.
Pelosi eventually relented and decided to remove all pandemic spending from the government-wide, $1.5 trillion package. That was a bow to pressure Congress feels to help Ukraine resist the Russian invasion before it's too late and to help nearby nations bolster their militaries and absorb over 2 million refugees fleeing the fighting.
But since then, Russia's pummeling of Ukraine made it impossible for Democrats to resist defense increases. And the relentless pandemic, families' growing costs from inflation and collapse of Biden's huge social and environment bill made it harder to stop Democrats from winning domestic boosts.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Dems pushing Ukraine aid, $1.5T budget package through HouseDemocrats began pushing $13.6 billion in aid for besieged Ukraine and European allies through the House on Wednesday, part of a $1.5 trillion bipartisan compromise to finance federal agencies for the rest of this year. The money countering the Russian blitzkrieg t hat's devastated parts of Ukraine and triggered that continent's biggest refugee exodus since World War II ensured that the overall bill would ultimately pass with robust support from both parties. President Joe Biden requested $10 billion for the military, humanitarian and economic aid last week, and backing in Congress was so staunch that the figure grew to $13.6 billion in just days.
Read more »
House yanks Covid aid after bumps in drive to pass $1.5T gov funding planHouse Dems have pulled Covid relief from the $1.5 trillion government funding package, after multiple members revolted against using their home states' pandemic cash to pay for the aid.
Read more »
2nd round of free at-home COVID tests available now, White House saysIf you ordered your free at-home COVID tests from the government earlier this year, the White House says you can now place another order for a set of four tests per household.
Read more »
House to Vote on Government Funding Bill That Includes Nearly $14 Billion in Ukraine AidThe funding bill would prevent a government shutdown through September and provide humanitarian aid and military equipment to Ukraine.
Read more »
White House says Russia could use chemical or biological weapons in UkraineWhite House Press Secretary Jen Psaki warned that Russia may use chemical or biological weapons in Ukraine.
Read more »