United House OKs $13.6B for Ukraine in huge spending bill

By ALAN FRAM
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has approved a massive spending bill anchored by $13.6 billion for battered Ukraine and its European allies. The money covers the U.S. costs of sending troops and weapons to Eastern Europe and equipping allied forces there in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion. There are also funds for humanitarian aid to help refugees and others. The money is part of a $1.5 trillion bill financing federal agencies for the rest of this year. Before the bill could move forward, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi agreed to remove all $15.5 billion from the legislation aimed at reinforcing U.S. efforts against the pandemic.