Congress Passes Defense and Homeland Security Portions of $1.5 Trillion Spending Package, Includes Aid for Ukraine and Eastern Europe

Congress Passes $1.5 Trillion Omnibus Spending Package, Allocates $13.6 Billion for Defense and Aid to Ukraine

In a significant move, Congress passed the defense and homeland security portions of the $1.5 trillion omnibus spending package on Wednesday. This included providing Ukraine and other Eastern European countries with $13.6 billion in defense and other aid to counter Russian aggression.

The House voted 361-69 to back funding for the Pentagon, Department of Homeland Security, and other national security priorities. Notably, 54 Republicans and 15 Democrats voted against the measure, with three members abstaining.

Of the $13.6 billion allocated, more than $6.5 billion will go to the Pentagon, $3.9 billion to the State Department for humanitarian assistance to Ukrainians, and $2.8 billion to the U.S. Agency for International Development for aid in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. The Justice Department will also receive smaller sums.

However, the bill faced opposition from both sides of the aisle. Progressive Democrats, including members of “The Squad” like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Tlaib, voted against the bill. On the Republican side, representatives like Lauren Boebert, Matt Gaetz, and Lee Zeldin also opposed the measures.

The bill was split into two votes, with some representatives voting in favor of the defense and homeland security funding but against the humanitarian aid portion. The legislation now heads to the Senate for further consideration.

The approval of the bill comes amidst reports of Russian airstrikes destroying civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, including a children’s hospital and maternity ward in Mariupol. The conflict has led to over 2 million Ukrainians fleeing their country, creating the fastest-growing refugee crisis since World War II.

The homeland security portion of the omnibus bill will also help avert a government shutdown, providing funding through September. Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised the bipartisan agreement, stating that it will support President Joe Biden’s key domestic priorities.

In response to the vote, Representative Boebert criticized the use of aid for Ukraine in a larger spending bill, calling it corrupt. She proposed an alternative bill that focuses on aiding Ukraine, stopping imports from certain countries, and developing American energy.

Overall, the passage of the omnibus spending package reflects Congress’s commitment to addressing national security challenges and supporting Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.