Lawmakers propose CR through Dec. 16 to avoid shutdown

By Tony Bertuca / September 27, 2022 at 1:06 PM

Senior Democratic lawmakers have proposed a stopgap continuing resolution that would keep the federal government funded through Dec. 16 as well as provide billions in continued military aid for Ukraine.

Congress must pass the funding patch before the federal government shuts down Friday at midnight.

The CR contains $7.5 billion in military aid for Ukraine and $4.5 billion in economic aid.

The CR, according to a summary, would include $3 billion for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which allows the Defense Department to contract directly with industry to supply Ukraine with weapons, training, logistics and other military support.

Additionally, the legislation includes $1.5 billion to replenish U.S. stocks sent to Ukraine through presidential “drawdown” authority, and $540 million to increase production of critical munitions sent to Ukraine. Along with the new funds, the bill authorizes a total of $3.7 billion in drawdown "authority."

The CR also includes $2.8 billion for U.S. “mission support, intelligence support, special duty pay for troops deployed to the region and equipment,” the summary states.

Further, the CR also proposes $2 million for the Defense Department inspector general to report on U.S. assistance to Ukraine, including a “comprehensive list of all defense articles and services provided to Ukraine, and a report on the end-use monitoring of defense articles sent to Ukraine.”

The bill would also provide $35 million to the National Nuclear Security Administration “to prepare for and respond to potential nuclear and radiological incidents in Ukraine.”

Senate Republicans and Democrats remain at odds, however, regarding language on permitting in West Virginia championed by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV).

Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL), the ranking Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the GOP will not support a CR that includes permitting reform.

“We have made significant progress toward a Continuing Resolution that is as clean as possible,” he said in a statement. “But, if the Democrats insist on including permitting reform, I will oppose it. Passing a clean CR will allow us to focus on completing the FY-23 appropriations process before the end of this year.”

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