Senate leaders reach short-term budget deal with $6B in Ukraine aid, setting up showdown with House
Senate leaders have reached a short-term budget deal that would provide $6 billion in aid assistance to Ukraine, setting up a showdown between Democratic and Republican leaders over the future of the federal budget.
The agreement, struck late Wednesday night, would keep the government funded through the end of the academic year in September and avert another government shutdown. The agreement must be approved by the full Senate and House before it can become law.
The $6 billion of aid assistance provided in the deal would come in the form of loan assistance, with a portion of it being used to promote economic growth and reform in Ukraine. In addition, the agreement would include $1.1 billion to address global poverty and help fight the spread of Ebola in West Africa.
The deal has received mixed reactions from both sides of the aisle, with some arguing that it does not provide enough funding for Ukraine and others arguing that it provides too much money for long-term projects that should be funded separately.
The agreement must now be reconciled between the different chambers of Congress, and a final vote on the bill is expected in the coming weeks.