Senate passes funding patch to avert shutdown

By Tony Bertuca / September 29, 2022 at 2:36 PM

The Senate has voted 72-25 to pass a stopgap continuing resolution that would keep the federal government open until Dec. 16 and provide $12.3 billion in military and economic aid to Ukraine.

The bill now advances to the House for final passage after which it will be sent to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.

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

The measure includes $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.

The CR 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, and special duty pay for troops deployed to the region.

Additionally, the CR also proposes $2 million for the Defense Department inspector general to report on U.S. assistance 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.”

Meanwhile, the CR freezes federal spending at previous-year levels and prohibits the Pentagon from launching new programs or ramping up production of weapon systems.

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