The Senate passed a $1.5 trillion package to fund the federal government for the current fiscal year, after Democrats and Republicans resolved months of wrangling to quickly send aid to Ukraine, the Wall Street Journal reported. The measure was approved 68-31 and now heads to President Biden’s desk, one day before a temporary funding measure was set to expire and set in motion a partial government shutdown. The bill provides $13.6 billion in aid for Ukraine, including more than $3 billion for European Command operations mission support, the deployment of personnel to the region and intelligence support. Mr. Biden has said that the U.S. military won’t enter Ukraine, but the U.S. has sent troops, air defense systems and other equipment to Poland and other NATO states on the eastern flank to bolster their defenses. The assistance also includes $4 billion in humanitarian aid, helping refugees fleeing Ukraine and providing emergency food assistance and healthcare. The omnibus delivers on some priorities of both parties, such as the increased funding for child care and climate resiliency sought by Democrats and higher military spending pushed by Republicans. It includes billions of dollars requested by individual members for projects in their districts, representing the first time in more than a decade that the earmarks have been employed.
