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The Capitol in Washington: 68 to 29 Senate votes for the budget package
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J Scott Applewhite / dpa
Shortly before the deadline, the US Senate approved a draft budget that, among other things, provides for billions in aid for Ukraine.
The planned budget, said to total $1.7 trillion (€1.6 trillion), was approved by the parliamentary chamber on Thursday, just hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj delivered an impassioned speech to Congress.
Defense spending accounts for half of the budget.
Aid of 44.9 billion US dollars is planned for Ukraine.
In total, around $858 billion is earmarked for defense in the budget.
Approval by the House of Representatives, the second chamber of Parliament, was considered likely.
The package includes around $9 billion in military aid to Ukraine and almost $16 billion in economic and humanitarian aid.
In addition, twelve billion dollars are planned to replenish the US military's ammunition stocks and stores after deliveries to Ukraine.
Another seven billion dollars are earmarked for additional spending by US troops in Europe.
The budget is intended to finance government business until September next year.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy once again campaigned for financial aid during his visit to the US on Wednesday before Congress.
It is about much more than just supporting Ukraine.
'Your money is not charity.
It is an investment in global security and democracy,” said Zelenskyj.
The deadline for the adoption of the draft budget expires on Friday.
If no new budget has been passed in Congress and signed by the President by then, a so-called shutdown would be imminent.
If this were to happen, some state employees would have to be put on leave or work temporarily without pay.
Before the vote, there was a nail-biter in the Senate because of a much-criticized deportation regulation.
Ultimately, however, the package received a cross-party majority of 68 to 29 votes.
sol/dpa/AP