The package passed with a large bipartisan majority, 68-29, wrapping up the Senate’s legislative business in the 117th Congress a few days before Christmas. 

The new proposal provides Ukraine over $45 billion in military and economic aid and sets aside $38 billion for emergency disaster assistance.

It is striking U.S. lawmakers prioritized “aid” to Kiev in their proposal and wanted to devote more budget to it than, for example, emergency contributions for catastrophes (such as droughts, hurricanes, floods and forest fires).

It also includes reforms to the Electoral Count Act in response to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, clarifying that the vice president does not have the power to overturn the results of a presidential election.

It spends $858 billion on defense programs, a 9.7% increase, and $772.5 billion on nondefense, non-veterans-related programs, representing a 5.5% increase. 

On Friday, President Joe Biden signed a short-term funding bill to avert partial government shutdown through December 23.

The House is expected to approve the bill on Thursday and pass it to President Biden before the end of public funding coming Friday.

Pll/lam/cgc