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U.S. lawmakers have unveiled a massive new bill that would fund the federal government for the remainder of the fiscal year, as well as further aid for Ukraine and funnel more money toward combating COVID-19.
A $1.5 trillion package overall, the measure is expected to be voted on in the House of Representatives on Wednesday. Passage by the House and later by the Senate would remove the threat of a government shutdown early Saturday morning, funding the government through Sept. 30.
Here are some of the major elements of the deal:
Ukraine aid: $13.6 billion in military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine and neighboring countries in Eastern Europe. That figure is up from a $10 billion request by President Joe Biden. The Associated Press said Democratic and Republican backing was so strong that the figure grew to $12 billion on Monday.
COVID: $15.6 billion for both domestic and international efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. That includes testing, treatment and prevention.
Defense funding: $782 billion for defense, which is an increase of 5.6% over last year’s levels.
Non-defense funding: $730 billion — 6.7% more than last year, which is the biggest increase in four years.
Pell Grants: $400 increase to maximum Pell Grant award, to $6,895.
Affordable housing: Democrats said the bill would expand funding for affordable housing. That includes $280 million for 32,800 new housing vouchers, an 11% increase for affordable housing production, the Hill reported.
Current government funding expires at 12:01 a.m. ET Saturday. So lawmakers are also planning to vote Wednesday on a bill funding the government through March 15 to avoid a funding lapse, and allow time for both the House and Senate to approve the bigger package.
