Congress approved the first major federal spending legislation of President Joe Biden’s administration, clearing the way for a $1.5 trillion measure with substantial increases for domestic and national security programs, as well as emergency aid for Ukraine.
The Senate approved the bill on Thursday, less than two days after it was finalized and pushed through the House of Representatives. The 2,700-page bill won in the Senate by a vote of 68-31.
The escalated timetable reflects rare strong bipartisan support for providing aid to Ukraine in the midst of the ongoing Russian invasion. There was also a sense of urgency to avoid a government shutdown, which loomed overhead within a few days.
The agreed upon spending bill will fund the government through September.
The spending bill includes spending on domestic programs and military investments, championed by Democrats and Republicans respectively. It also includes investments in climate resilience, public assistance programs, and aid for projects that were in the bipartisan infrastructure law. Maternal and child health programs, public education programs, mental health programs, and tribal programs were also included.
Biden is expected to sign the bill into action quickly. It will be the first time since he took office a little more than a year ago, and since his Democrat party won control of Congress, that they have been able to bring a spending bill into action.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (NY) said it was the strongest, boldest, and most significant funding package that the United States has seen in a long time.
Some measures had to be dropped by the Democrats in order to pass the bill, including a White House request for more Covid pandemic aid. The Republicans refused to spend any more federal money on Covid responses. Some additional funds were secured for pandemic preparedness, including for the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, and for the Strategic National Stockpile.
Be the first to comment