After prolonged negotiations, US congressional leaders have finally presented a $1.2 trillion bipartisan spending package aimed at funding defense, homeland security, and various other programs, in an effort to prevent a government shutdown.
The package needs rapid approval, as lawmakers have less than two days to act.
Reported by Reuters, the spending package comes after delays and is set for a vote in the Republican-majority House of Representatives on Friday.
The Democratic-led Senate faces a tight deadline to approve the package, which constitutes about two-thirds of the $1.66 trillion allocated for government spending for the fiscal year that commenced on October 1.
"After the House passes the legislation, the Senate will need bipartisan cooperation to pass it by Friday and avoid a government shutdown," Senate Majority Leader Schumer stated in a speech to Congress.
This development follows a previous agreement among US Congress leaders to fund the government until September 30.
Meanwhile, Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Republican Mike Johnson, mentioned that the proposal for additional funding for Ukraine would be considered after resolving the federal government funding issue.
Johnson has shown willingness to proceed with aid to Ukraine, albeit with significant modifications, suggesting that the House of Representatives create a separate project for the aid, potentially in the form of a loan or lend-lease.
He also acknowledged that aid to Ukraine and Israel might be split into distinct projects, requiring sufficient support from both the House and the Senate to pass.
