The government funding bill, which contains approximately $14 billion in aid for Ukraine, was passed by the House.

• Nearly $14 billion in humanitarian and military aid will be sent to Ukraine, and the government will be funded through September with $1.5 trillion legislation passed by the House.
• The Senate will have more time to approve the long-term measure with the passage of a second temporary spending plan by the chamber.
• The vote on the coronavirus relief bill was postponed due to the removal of $15.6 billion in funding by Democratic leaders.

On Wednesday, the U.S. House passed legislation to fund the government until September and provide nearly $14 billion in aid to Ukraine, which is fighting an invasion by Russia.

To prevent a government shutdown, Congress must pass a spending bill by Friday. However, the House passed a second bill to extend current funding until Tuesday, giving the Senate time to vote on it.

President Joe Biden will require the Senate's approval of both spending measures before signing them into law.

On Wednesday, the House encountered obstacles while trying to pass a $1.5 trillion coronavirus relief bill, as Democratic leaders were forced to remove $15.6 billion from the legislation due to an impasse over the funds.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., wrote to House Democrats that the omnibus bill must be passed today, which includes emergency funding for Ukraine and urgent funding to meet the needs of America's families. However, she stated that it is heartbreaking to remove the COVID funding from the bill, and they must continue to fight for urgently needed COVID assistance, which unfortunately will not be included in this bill.

Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., the House Appropriations Committee Chair, presented a separate coronavirus relief bill on Wednesday. The chamber plans to vote on the legislation next week.

After weeks of negotiations, a deal was reached on the spending bill, which resolved last-minute changes due to disputes over domestic program and military spending hikes, sparked by Russia's attack on Ukraine last month.

The spending package was approved by the House in two parts, with the first part passing by a wide margin and the second part receiving less Republican support.

The funding bill is backed by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and the Biden administration, and he will urge his caucus to vote for it.

For years, Congress has relied on short-term spending bills to prevent government shutdowns through last-minute votes. However, funding gaps can result in federal worker furloughs, disruptions to government services, and significant economic harm.

Both parties are pushing for a ban on oil imports from Russia to prevent a shutdown and maintain the U.S.'s leading role in the international effort to weaken Russia's economy and support Ukraine's defense. The House passed a bill Wednesday to add to the pressure on the Kremlin, following Biden's move to do the same the previous day.

The $13.6 billion allocated for the conflict in Ukraine will be used to aid displaced Ukrainians, provide military equipment for the country, and fund U.S. troop deployments to neighboring nations as part of the broader U.S. strategy in Ukraine.

The Office of Management and Budget of Biden stated that the funds would enable the U.S. to react promptly and effectively to the changing requirements in Ukraine, the region, and globally.

The $1.5 trillion bill comprises $782 billion for defense and $730 billion for non-defense programs. Numerous Democrats and a few Republicans have consistently sought to curb military expenditures as the U.S. continues to be the world's largest defense spender.

The bill includes more defense funding than the Biden administration initially proposed and more money to support Ukraine's military than Democrats desired, according to McConnell.

The Biden administration is seeking additional funding to prepare for potential future developments in the coronavirus pandemic, as infections have decreased since the omicron wave. According to Pelosi and Schumer, the proposed funds will aid the U.S. in safeguarding against new variants, preventing shutdowns, and combating the virus abroad.