US congressional negotiators have almost reached agreement on a bill that would fund the federal government during the end of fiscal year (FY) 2022 and provide billions of dollars in Ukraine-related security and humanitarian aid, according to key lawmakers.
“Republicans and Democrats are very, very close to finalising the agreement,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, told reporters on 8 March. “We're working very hard on a few last-minute issues”, including the possible addition of cyber security legislation.
The bill would fund various government agencies, including the US Department of Defense, for the rest of FY 2022, which began on 1 October 2021. The government is funded by a temporary measure that runs until 11 March.
Schumer said the bill would also include “more than USD12 billion” for Ukraine. However, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, put the Ukraine figure at USD14 billion.
“The events in Ukraine have necessitated action, and we need to get this done and get it done very fast,” Schumer said.
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