The House passes a bill to prevent a government shutdown and provide aid to Ukraine

WASHINGTON – The Democratic-led House of Representatives on Friday passed a short-term spending bill that would fund the federal government through mid-December and include another infusion military and economic aid to Ukraine as lawmakers acted to avert a partial government shutdown set to begin after midnight.

The bill passed the House of Representatives 230-201. The measure then goes to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law.

Republicans overwhelmingly opposed the measure. Some wanted to extend state funding until January, when, based on midterm election results, it might have more influence in setting federal spending for the entire fiscal year. Others argued that the measure should do more to secure the border.

Democrats have said the bill’s passage is important to help Ukraine and victims of recent natural disasters in the U.S. including Hurricane Ianbecause it provides the Federal Emergency Management Agency fund with a year’s advance, not two and a half months.

“Turn on the news. Take a look what is happening in florida now. Take a look what happened to puerto rico. Take a look what is happening in alaska. I mean, people need help,” said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass. – And look at what is happening in Ukraine. Do we support helping to preserve democracy in Ukraine or not? That’s what’s at stake here.”

But Republicans complained that the proposed bill was not the subject of bipartisan negotiations in the House of Representatives and did not reflect their priorities.

“We know that we have a crisis on the southern border. You can turn on the TV every evening. You can see how fentanyl is pouring into the country, you can see the tragedy of human trafficking. Is there anything in this bill that requires us to do anything else, anything new?” said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Oklahoma. “No, you’re just asking, ‘please let us continue current state of affairs on the southern border.’ It’s a parody.”

In the end, the bill was unanimously supported by deputies from the Democratic Party. Only 10 Republican lawmakers voted in favor.

The bill provides funding for the federal government until Dec. 16 and gives lawmakers more time to agree on legislation that would set spending levels for fiscal year 2023. The bill generally keeps spending at current levels, although it provides more than $12.3 billion in aid to Ukraine. The money will be used for training, equipment and logistical support of the Ukrainian military, assistance to the government of Ukraine in providing basic services to citizens, and replenishment of American weapons systems and ammunition.

“This contribution ensures that we continue to fulfill our moral responsibility to support the people of Ukraine in the face of a brutal invasion that continues to demand decisive action from us,” said Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro, chair of the House Appropriations Committee.

Disaster relief was also attached to the stalled bill, including $2.5 billion in relief New Mexico communities rebuild after Hermit Peak/Calf Canyon fire, the largest wildfire in state history; $2 billion for a block grant program that helps economic recovery in communities affected by recent disasters and $20 million in water and sewer infrastructure improvements previously authorized in Jackson, Mississippi.

“We cannot abandon communities that are still picking up the pieces from catastrophic floods, wildfires and hurricanes, and even major water system failures,” said Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Florida.

The bill provides an additional $1 billion for a program that helps low-income families heat their homes. And it will transfer $3 billion from the Pentagon’s aid program to the State Department Afghan resettlement operations continued.

Lawmakers also included a five-year renewal of the Food and Drug Administration’s user-fee agreements, ensuring the agency can continue critical product safety inspections and not have to issue pink slips to thousands of employees who work on the drug. and medical devices.

One thing missing from the bill is the billions of dollars in additional funding that Biden sought to secure help fight against COVID-19 and monkeypox. Republicans have criticized the health care spending as unnecessary. The White House said the money will be used to accelerate research and development of vaccines and therapeutics, prepare for future variants of COVID, and support the global response.