By
Rebecca Shabad
and Teaganne Finn -
NBC News
WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives passed a spending bill Wednesday night to keep the federal government funded through September and provide up to $14 billion in aid to Ukraine.
The $1.5 trillion bipartisan bill, now headed to the Senate, is the culmination of months of long-stalled negotiations on Capitol Hill between Democrats and Republicans.
The nearly $13.6 billion dedicated to Ukraine includes $6.5 billion for the Department of Defense, with $3.5 billion to replenish equipment sent to Ukraine and $3 billion for US troops helping defend NATO in Europe.
The bill would
also provide money for humanitarian aid, to support Ukraine's energy grid and to combat disinformation.
[Russia Bombs Children's Hospital, Causes 'Colossal Damage' in Mariupol]
The spending bill was originally scheduled to allocate $15.6 billion for the response to the coronavirus pandemic domestically and internationally.
But that funding was cut after the bill ran into trouble.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., during her weekly news conference on Capitol Hill on March 9, 2022. Jacquelyn Martin / AP
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said in a letter Wednesday that COVID-19 funding would be cut, blaming Republicans for depriving Americans of COVID-19 assistance that "Urgently needed."
“It is heartbreaking to remove COVID-19 funding, and we must continue to fight for urgently needed assistance, but unfortunately that will not be included in this bill,” he stated.
The numbers that worry millions: this is how consumers pay the price of war
March 10, 202201:07
The general spending measure, which funds the federal government through September 30, would provide increases to defense and civilian programs above 2021 levels.
Congress faces a deadline to pass the spending bill on Friday night
, when government funds are due.
The lower house also approved a short-term funding extension through Tuesday to ensure the Senate has enough time to pass the broader bill.
“This bill, the spending bill, comes at an important time,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday.
"The war in Europe has focused the energies of Congress on doing something and doing it quickly, quickly," he added.
