Senate Passes Massive, Spending Bill, Avoids Shutdown.<br />On December 22, the Senate voted 68-29 to <br />pass a $1.7 trillion spending bill to finance <br />federal agencies through September.<br />'The Independent' reports that the bill will <br />also provide about $45 billion in economic <br />and military assistance for Ukraine.<br />Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that <br />the Senate had reached an agreement to weigh <br />15 amendments before taking a final vote on the package.<br />The massive bill includes approximately <br />$772.5 billion for non-defense programs <br />and $858 billion for defense programs. .<br />On December 21, lawmakers heard from <br />Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky <br />on the importance of continuing U.S. aid. .<br />On December 21, lawmakers heard from <br />Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky <br />on the importance of continuing U.S. aid. .<br />'The Independent' reports that Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell endorsed the bill based on the 10% boost it promises in defense spending.<br />According to McConnell, the legislation <br />will give U.S. Armed Forces the funding <br />necessary to ensure national security.<br />'The Independent' reports that while the bill <br />faced some Republican opposition, it managed<br />to reach the 60-vote threshold needed to pass.<br />Meanwhile, Democrats <br />are touting the bill<br />as a domestic win. .<br />Kids, parents, veterans, nurses, <br />workers: These are just a few of <br />the beneficiaries of our bipartisan <br />funding package, so there is every <br />reason in the world for the Senate <br />to finish its work as soon as possible, Chuck Schumer, Democratic Majority Leader, via 'The Independent'
