Democrats prioritize aid for Ukraine resulting in separate COVID-19 bill
Michael McAuliff, Dave Goldiner
WASHINGTON — With time not on their side, Democratic congressional leaders had to quickly pivot from funding the battle to fight COVID to ensure a massive government spending bill including military aid to Ukraine and European allies was passed this week.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., announced that the COVID-19 spending would be removed from the package after rank-and-file lawmakers objected that it would be paid for, in part, by cutting previously approved pandemic assistance to their states.
“We must proceed” with the government-wide $1.5 trillion legislation because of the urgency of helping Ukraine and the bill’s spending for other programs, Pelosi wrote in a letter to colleagues.
“War in Europe has focused the energies of Congress to getting something done and getting it done fast,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. (left) and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y. (right)
President Biden had initially asked for $10 billion in military, humanitarian, and economic aid to Ukraine last week, but support for the war-ravaged nation was so staunch that the figure grew to $13.6 billion in just days.
About $4 billion of the package will help Ukraine and Eastern European nations cope with the 2 million refugees who’ve already fled the fighting.
Another $6.7 billion is allocated to fund U.S. troops and equipment deployment to the region and transfer American military items to Ukraine and U.S. allies.
“The people of Ukraine are courageously standing up for freedom,” Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said as debate began. “Congress, the Biden administration, and the people of the United States must stand with them.”
While there is strong bipartisan support in providing aid to Ukraine, some GOP lawmakers used their time to hammer the Democratic president, particularly over the rising price of gasoline.
“These aren’t Putin prices,” said House Minority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), referring to the spike caused by the invasion of Ukraine. “They’re President Biden’s prices.”
With respect to the invasion, Pelosi spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday for approx. 45 minutes and the no-fly zone issue was discussed. “That has always been one of the things they asked for, but they know that we can’t go there. Putin is trying to bait us so that we go in, and that’s the beginning, could be the beginning of World War III.”
This image taken from video provided by the Mariupol City Council shows the aftermath of Mariupol Hospital after an attack, in Mariupol, Ukraine, Wednesday March 9, 2022. A Russian attack severely damaged the children's hospital and maternity ward in the besieged port city of Mariupol, Ukrainian officials said. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on Twitter that there were “people, children under the wreckage” of the hospital and called the strike an “atrocity.”
An injured pregnant woman walks downstairs in the damaged by shelling maternity hospital in Mariupol, Ukraine, Wednesday, March 9, 2022. A Russian attack has severely damaged a maternity hospital in the besieged port city of Mariupol, Ukrainian officials say.
Dead bodies are placed into a mass grave on the outskirts of Mariupol, Ukraine, Wednesday, March 9, 2022, as people cannot bury their dead because of the heavy shelling by Russian forces.
A man rides a bicycle in front of an apartment building damaged by shelling in Mariupol, Ukraine, Wednesday, March 9, 2022.
People line up to get water at the well in outskirts of Mariupol, Ukraine, Wednesday, March 9, 2022.
Ukrainian soldiers and emergency employees work at the side of the damaged by shelling maternity hospital in Mariupol, Ukraine, Wednesday, March 9, 2022.
A Ukrainian serviceman takes a shooting position as he looks at approaching vehicles in Irpin, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, March 9, 2022.
A military priest tries to comfort a crying woman who was evacuated from Irpin, at a triage point in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, March 9, 2022.
Cars drive past a destroyed Russian tank as a convoy of vehicles evacuating civilians leaves Irpin, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, March 9, 2022.
Cars drive past a destroyed Russian tank as a convoy of vehicles evacuating civilians leaves Irpin, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, March 9, 2022.
A child is carried on a stroller across an improvised path while fleeing Irpin, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, March 9, 2022.
A Ukrainian Territorial Defence Forces member holds an NLAW anti-tank weapon in the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, March 9, 2022. Authorities announced a new ceasefire on Wednesday to allow civilians to escape from towns around the capital, Kyiv, as well as the southern cities of Mariupol, Enerhodar and Volnovakha, Izyum in the east and Sumy in the northeast. Previous attempts to establish safe evacuation corridors have largely failed due to attacks by Russian forces.
Ukrainians crowd under a destroyed bridge as they try to flee crossing the Irpin river in the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Demands for ways to safely evacuate civilians have surged along with intensifying shelling by Russian forces, who have made significant advances in southern Ukraine but stalled in some other regions. Efforts to put in place cease-fires along humanitarian corridors have repeatedly failed amid Russian shelling.
Two women watch U.S. President Joe Biden making statements on a news channel in a subway station turned into a shelter in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, March 8, 2022.
A Ukrainian soldier helps an elderly woman who was being evacuated on a shopping cart from Irpin, in the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, March 8, 2022.
Ukrainian serviceman walks past the vertical tail fin of a Russian Su-34 bomber lying in a damaged building in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, March 8, 2022.
The dead body of a person lies covered in the street in Mariupol, Ukraine, Monday, March 7, 2022.
Residents of Irpin flee heavy fighting via a destroyed bridge as Russian forces entered the city on March 07, 2022, in Irpin, Ukraine. Yesterday, four civilians were killed by mortar fire along the road leading from Irpin to Kyiv, which has been a key evacuation route for people fleeing Russian forces advancing from the north. Today, Ukraine rejected as "unacceptable" a Russian proposal for a humanitarian corridor that leads from Kyiv to Belarus, a Russian ally that was a staging ground for the invasion.
A woman is assisted by a member of the Ukrainian military as she flees heavy fighting in Irpin via a destroyed bridge as Russian forces entered the city on March 07, 2022, in Irpin, Ukraine.
Ukrainian civilians receive weapons training in the outskirts of Lviv, western Ukraine, Monday, March 7, 2022. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has entered its 12th day following what Ukrainian authorities described as increased shelling of encircled cities and another failed attempt to evacuate civilians from the port of Mariupol.
Volunteers of the Ukrainian Territorial Defense Forces inspect a damaged military vehicle in the outskirts of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, Monday, March 7, 2022. Russia announced yet another cease-fire and a handful of humanitarian corridors to allow civilians to flee Ukraine. Previous such measures have fallen apart and Moscow’s armed forces continued to pummel some Ukrainian cities with rockets Monday.
A resident holds a white flag as he flees heavy fighting via a destroyed bridge as Russian forces entered the city on March 07, 2022, in Irpin, Ukraine.
Residents of Irpin flee heavy fighting via a destroyed bridge as Russian forces entered the city on March 07, 2022, in Irpin, Ukraine.
Ukrainian soldiers are carrying the body of Denys Hrynchuk from Hrynchuk family's house to the church in Bila Krynytsia, on March 6, 2022, in Chernivtsi region, Ukraine. Denys Hrynchuk served in the Ukrainian army. He was killed on Feb. 28, 2022, near Volnovakha, Donetsk region. He is survived by his mother, five brothers and a sister, his wife and his one-year-old son.
A view toward the city of Irpin under shelling on March 6, 2022, in Ukraine. Three civilians were killed and others were wounded as Russian mortar rounds landed between Irpin and Kyiv this morning, striking a route used by civilians fleeing southeast toward Kyiv. Russia continued its assault on Ukraine's major cities, including its capital, more than a week after launching a large-scale invasion of the country.
People hide from the Russian artillery shelling in a school basement in the village of Horenka close to Kyiv, Ukraine, on March 6, 2022. On Day 11 of Russia's war on Ukraine, Russian troops shelled encircled cities, and it appeared that a second attempt to evacuate civilians from the besieged port city of Mariupol had failed due to continued violence.
Yuriy, who who was shot in the leg while evacuating civilians from the shelled city of Irpin, receives first aid on March 6, 2022, in Kyiv, Ukraine.
A factory and a store are burning after being bombarded in Irpin, in the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, March 6, 2022.
People cross an improvised path under a destroyed bridge while fleeing the town of Irpin, Ukraine on March 6, 2022. In Irpin, near Kyiv, a sea of people on foot and even in wheelbarrows trudged over the remains of a destroyed bridge to cross a river and leave the city.
Pedestrians cross a destroyed bridge as they evacuate the city of Irpin, northwest of Kyiv, on March 6, 2022, 11 days after Russia launched a military invasion on Ukraine.
A Ukrainian man rides his bicycle near to a factory and a store burning after being bombarded in Irpin, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, March 6, 2022.
A member of the Territorial Defense Battalion helps to evacuate a child on March 6, 2022, in Irpin, Ukraine. Three civilians were killed and others were wounded as Russian mortar rounds landed between Irpin and Kyiv this morning, striking a route used by civilians fleeing southeast toward Kyiv. Russia continued its assault on Ukraine's major cities, including its capital, more than a week after launching a large-scale invasion of the country.
A factory and a store burn after being bombarded in Irpin, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, March 6, 2022.
A wife says her goodbyes to her husband who is a member of the Territorial Defense as she evacuates from the city on March 6, 2022, near Irpin, Ukraine.
A view of a house which was shelled on March 6, 2022, in Irpin, Ukraine.
A member of a Territorial Defence unit does pull-ups before starting his shift guarding a barricade on the outskirts of eastern Kyiv on March 6, 2022, in Ukraine.
Members of a Territorial Defence unit play checkers with molotov cocktails while guarding a barricade after curfew on the outskirts of eastern Kyiv on March 6, 2022, in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Ihor Mazhayev, 54, stands by his destroyed house on March 5, 2022, in Markhalivka, Ukraine. Ihor lost his wife and 12-year-old daughter and got a concussion as a result of a shelling. Regional police said six people died, including a child, and four were wounded in a Russian air strike on this village southwest of Kyiv.
A view of a burned car where 4 people died as a result of a shelling on March 5, 2022, in Markhalivka, Ukraine.
A view of the residential houses which were destroyed by shelling on March 5, 2022, in Markhalivka, Ukraine.
A view of the residential houses which were destroyed by shelling on March 5, 2022, in Markhalivka, Ukraine.
A view of destroyed Russian ammunition on March 5, 2022, in Sytniaky, Ukraine.
In this photo provided by Yurii Kochubei, a view of the damage after shelling inside a sports complex, in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Saturday, March 5, 2022. An official in one of Ukraine's pro-Russia separatist region says Russian forces will observe a temporary cease-fire Sunday in two Ukrainian cities. An agreement to allow civilians to evacuate collapsed a day earlier amid continued shelling and the flight of refugees to neighboring nations.
In this photo provided by Yurii Kochubei, a view of the damage after shelling on a sports venue, in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Saturday, March 5, 2022.
In this photo provided by Yurii Kochubei, a view of the damage after shelling on a sports venue, in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Saturday, March 5, 2022.
In this photo provided by Yurii Kochubei, a view of the damage after shelling inside a sports complex, in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Saturday, March 5, 2022.
A view of destroyed Russian ammunition on March 5, 2022, in Sytniaky, Ukraine. Russia continues assault on Ukraine's major cities, including the capital Kyiv, more than a week after launching a large-scale invasion of the country.
Members of a Territorial Defence unit guard a barricade close to the eastern frontline on March 5, 2022, in Kyiv, Ukraine.
A building is engulfed in flames after shelling in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, March 3, 2022.
A view of heavy damage in the residential area of Borodyanka, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, March 3, 2022, following a Russian strike.
A Ukrainian serviceman walks past as fire and smoke rises over a damaged logistic center after shelling in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, March 3, 2022.
Firefighters hose down a burning building after bombing in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, March 3, 2022. Russian forces have seized a strategic Ukrainian seaport and besieged another. Those moves are part of efforts to cut the country off from its coastline even as Moscow said Thursday it was ready for talks to end the fighting.
A destroyed vehicle is seen on March 3, 2022, in Sytniaky, Ukraine, west of the capital.
A view of heavy damage in the residential area of Borodyanka, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, March 3, 2022. following a Russian strike.
Firefighters work to extinguish a fire at a damaged logistic center after shelling in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, March 3, 2022. Russian forces have escalated their attacks on crowded cities in what Ukraine's leader called a blatant campaign of terror.
A building burns after shelling in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, March 3, 2022. Russia has launched a wide-ranging attack on Ukraine, hitting cities and bases with airstrikes or shelling.
Firefighters work to extinguish a fire at a damaged logistic center after shelling in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, March 3, 2022.
Ukrainian servicemen take an APC for repairs on March 3, 2022, in Sytniaky, Ukraine, west of the capital. Russia continues its assault on Ukraine's major cities, including the capital Kyiv, a week after launching a large-scale invasion of the country.
Metal road blocks built by volunteers sit outside a welding shop before being taken to new checkpoints across the country, in Lviv, Ukraine, Thursday, March 3, 2022.
A Ukrainian volunteer removes rubble to open up an abandoned shelter, in Lviv, western Ukraine, Thursday, March 3, 2022.
Ukrainian volunteers prepare food for displaced people outside Lviv railway station, in Lviv, western Ukraine, Thursday, March 3, 2022. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has forced more than a million people to flee their homeland in just a week.
A mother holds her newborn baby in the bomb shelter of a maternity hospital on March 2, 2022, in Kyiv, Ukraine. Russian forces continued their advance on the Ukrainian capital for the seventh day as the country's invasion of its western neighbor goes on. Intense battles are also being waged over Ukraine's other major cities.
Women rest in the bomb shelter of a maternity hospital on March 2, 2022, in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Andrey Goncharuk, 68, right, a member of the territorial defense speaks to a man in the backyard of a house damaged by a Russian airstrike, according to locals, in Gorenka, outside the capital Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022.
A view of smoke from inside a damaged gym following shelling in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Russian forces have escalated their attacks on crowded cities in what Ukraine's leader called a blatant campaign of terror.
Firefighters extinguish a building of Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) after a rocket attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, Ukraine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022.
A woman is overwhelmed by emotion in the backyard of a house damaged by a Russian airstrike, according to locals, in Gorenka, outside the capital Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022.
A rocket fragment lies on the ground next to a building of Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) after a rocket attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, Ukraine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Russia's assault on Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, continued Wednesday, with a Russian strike hitting the regional police and intelligence headquarters, according to the Ukrainian state emergency service.
Firefighters extinguish a building of Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) after a rocket attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, Ukraine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022.
Local militiamen help an old woman crossing a bridge destroyed by artillery, as she tries to flee, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022.
People gather in the Kyiv subway, using it as a bomb shelter in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022.
Andrey Goncharuk, 68, a member of territorial defense, walks in the backyard of a house damaged by a Russian airstrike, according to locals, in Gorenka, outside the capital Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022.
Two militiamen hug as they meet crossing a destroyed bridge on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, March 2. 2022. Russia renewed its assault on Ukraine’s second-largest city in a pounding that lit up the skyline with balls of fire over populated areas. That came Wednesday even as both sides said they were ready to resume talks aimed at stopping the new devastating war in Europe.
A group of women and a boy walk to the train station as they try to leave Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Russian forces have escalated their attacks on crowded cities in what Ukraine's leader called a blatant campaign of terror.
A Polish soldier carries a baby of a Ukrainian refugee upon their arrival at the border crossing in Medyka, southeastern Poland, Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Seven days into the war, roughly 874,000 people have fled Ukraine and the U.N. refugee agency warned the number could cross the 1 million mark soon.
People gather in the Kyiv subway, using it as a bomb shelter in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Russian forces have escalated their attacks on crowded cities in what Ukraine's leader called a blatant campaign of terror.
Firefighters extinguish a building of Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) after a rocket attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, Ukraine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022.
This image taken from video released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, shows a view from the window of a Russian military helicopter as it flies over an undisclosed location in Ukraine.
In this image taken from video released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, Russian soldiers disembark from a Russian military helicopter after landing at an undisclosed location in Ukraine. On Day 7 of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Russia continued its attacks on crowded Ukrainian cities and a lengthy convoy of Russian tanks and other vehicles advanced slowly toward the capital of Kyiv.
A member of the Ukrainian Emergency Service looks at the City Hall building in the central square following shelling in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Russian strikes pounded the central square in Ukraine’s second-largest city and other civilian sites Tuesday in what the country’s president condemned as blatant campaign of terror by Moscow.
A volunteer of Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces stands in the crater from the explosion near a checkpoint in Brovary, outside Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, March 1, 2022.
Ukrainian emergency service personnel carry the body of a victim following shelling of the City Hall building in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Russia on Tuesday stepped up shelling of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, pounding civilian targets there. Casualties mounted and reports emerged that more than 70 Ukrainian soldiers were killed after Russian artillery recently hit a military base in Okhtyrka, a city between Kharkiv and Kyiv, the capital.
Ukrainian emergency service personnel and servicemen stand around a body of a victim following shelling of the City Hall building in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Russia on Tuesday stepped up shelling of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, pounding civilian targets there. Casualties mounted and reports emerged that more than 70 Ukrainian soldiers were killed after Russian artillery recently hit a military base in Okhtyrka, a city between Kharkiv and Kyiv, the capital.
Civilians try to cross a river on a blown up bridge on Kyiv's northern front on March 1, 2022.
A woman takes photos of a destroyed accommodation building near a checkpoint in Brovary, outside Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, March 1, 2022.
The view of military facility which was destroyed by recent shelling in the city of Brovary outside Kyiv on March 1, 2022.
The view of military facility which was destroyed by recent shelling in the city of Brovary outside Kyiv on March 1, 2022. Russian troops will carry out an attack on the infrastructure of Ukraine's security services in Kyiv and urged residents living nearby to leave, the defense ministry said on March 1, 2022.
A man leaves a vehicle damaged by shelling in Brovary, outside Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, March 1, 2022.
A blown up bridge is seen on Kyiv's northern front on March 1, 2022. Defending capital Kyiv is the "key priority," Ukrainian president said.
An armed man stands at a road block in downtown Kyiv on March 1, 2022. Ukrainian President described Russian shelling of his country's second city as a war crime and said defending the capital from Moscow's army was a top priority.
Smoke rises from a damaged armored vehicle at a checkpoint in Brovary, outside Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, March 1, 2022.
In this frame from a footage released by the State service of special communication and information protection of Ukraine, firemen work inside the regional administration building in the city's central square of Kharkiv, Ukraine, after Russian shelling, Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Russian shelling pounded civilian targets in Ukraine's second-largest city, Kharkiv, Tuesday and a 40-mile convoy of tanks and other vehicles threatened the capital, tactics Ukraine's embattled president said were designed to force him into concessions in Europe's largest ground war in generations.
An armed man stands by a damaged vehicle at a checkpoint in Brovary, outside Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, March 1, 2022.
A man takes a Ukrainian national flag swinging from a tree as he walks near a destroyed accommodation building by a checkpoint in Brovary, outside Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, March 1, 2022.
A view of the central square following shelling of the City Hall building in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Russia on Tuesday stepped up shelling of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, pounding civilian targets there. Casualties mounted and reports emerged that more than 70 Ukrainian soldiers were killed after Russian artillery recently hit a military base in Okhtyrka, a city between Kharkiv and Kyiv, the capital.
Ukrainian servicemen sit in front of a damaged house near a checkpoint in Brovary, outside Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, March 1, 2022.
A toy plane lies on the ground amongst debris of a destroyed accommodation building near a checkpoint in Brovary, outside Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, March 1, 2022.
A medical worker attends to a wounded man at a hospital in Brovary, outside Kyiv, Ukraine, on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Russian shelling pounded civilian targets in Ukraine's second-largest city, Kharkiv, again Tuesday and a 40-mile convoy of tanks and other vehicles threatened the capital, tactics Ukraine's embattled president said were designed to force him into concessions in Europe's largest ground war in generations.
This shows a view of Khreshchatyk, one of the main streets in Kyiv, empty due to curfew, Ukraine, Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Explosions and gunfire that have disrupted life since the invasion began last week appeared to subside around Kyiv overnight, as Ukrainian and Russian delegations met Monday on Ukraine's border with Belarus.
Hundreds of beds are placed inside a sports hall to accommodate Ukrainian refugees fleeing Russian invasion at the border crossing town of Medyka, Poland, on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. All day long, as trains and buses bring people fleeing Ukraine to the safety of Polish border towns, they carry not just Ukrainian fleeing a homeland under attack but large numbers of other citizens who had made Ukraine their home and whose fates too are now uncertain.
In this frame from a footage released by the State service of special communication and information protection of Ukraine, the regional administration building in the city's central square of Kharkiv, Ukraine, after Russian shelling, Tuesday, March 1, 2022.
Damaged cars and a destroyed accommodation building are seen near a checkpoint in Brovary, outside Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, March 1, 2022.
This photograph shows a view of a school destroyed as a result of fighting not far from the center of Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, located some 50 km from Ukrainian-Russian border, on Feb. 28, 2022.
This photograph shows a view of a school destroyed as a result of fighting not far from the center of Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, located some 50 km from Ukrainian-Russian border, on Feb. 28, 2022.
A woman holds her newborn baby inside a basement used as a bomb shelter at the Okhmadet children's hospital in central Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 28, 2022. Explosions and gunfire that have disrupted life since the invasion began last week appeared to subside around Kyiv overnight, as Ukrainian and Russian delegations met Monday on Ukraine’s border with Belarus. It's unclear what, if anything, those talks would yield. Terrified Ukrainian families huddled in shelters, basements or corridors, waiting to find out.
U.S. soldiers walk at a local airport in Arlamow, southeastern Poland, near the border with Ukraine, on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022. President Vladimir Putin dramatically escalated East-West tensions by ordering Russian nuclear forces put on high alert following new crippling Western sanctions that forced his Central Bank to sharply raise its key rate Monday to save the ruble from collapse.
A U.S. soldier plays with a dog at a military camp in Arlamow, southeastern Poland, near the border with Ukraine, on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022.
Cars are stopped at a roadblock set by civil defensemen at a road leading to central Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 28, 2022. Explosions and gunfire that have disrupted life since the invasion began last week appeared to subside around Kyiv overnight, as Ukrainian and Russian delegations met Monday on Ukraine’s border with Belarus. It's unclear what, if anything, those talks would yield.
Refugees fleeing conflict in Ukraine warm up near a fire after arriving at the Medyka border crossing in Poland on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022. The head of the United Nations refugee agency says more than a half a million people had fled Ukraine since Russia’s invasion on Thursday.
People trying to flee Ukraine stand on a platform as they wait for trains inside Lviv railway station on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022, in Lviv, west Ukraine. Russia's military assault on Ukraine has entered its fifth day, forcing hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians and foreign residents to escape from war and seek refuge in neighboring countries.
People prepare for the night in the improvised bomb shelter in a sports center, which can accommodate up to 2000 people, in Mariupol, Ukraine, late Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022.
A child watches from from a train carriage waiting to leave Ukraine for western Ukraine at the railway station in Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022. The U.N. refugee agency says nearly 120,000 people have so far fled Ukraine into neighboring countries in the wake of the Russian invasion. The number was going up fast as Ukrainians grabbed their belongings and rushed to escape from a deadly Russian onslaught.
A couple embrace prior to the woman boarding a train carriage leaving for western Ukraine at the railway station in Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022.
Russian President Vladimir Putin enters a hall to chair a Security Council meeting in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. Putin ordered Russian nuclear deterrent forces put on high alert Sunday, Feb. 27, amid tensions with the West over his invasion of Ukraine.
A man sits next to his dogs on mattress in a hotel underground parking turned into a bomb shelter during an air raid alert in Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022. Terrified men, women and children sought safety inside and underground, and the government maintained a 39-hour curfew to keep people off the streets as more than 150,000 Ukrainians fled to neighboring countries and the United Nations warned the number could grow to 4 million if fighting escalates.
Ukrainian soldiers take position under a bridge during crossfire inside the city of Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. Russia pressed its invasion of Ukraine to the outskirts of the capital Friday after unleashing airstrikes on cities and military bases and sending in troops and tanks from three sides in an attack that could rewrite the global post-Cold War security order.
Ukrainian soldiers handle equipment outside Kharkiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed Saturday that Ukraine's forces had repulsed the assault and vowed to keep fighting. "We will win," Zelenskyy said.
Ukrainian troops inspect the site following a Russian airstrike in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022.
People rush to evacuation trains driving to the west of Ukraine on Feb. 26, 2022, in Kyiv, Ukraine. Explosions and gunfire were reported around Kyiv on the second night of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has killed scores and prompted widespread condemnation from U.S. and European leaders.
A view to the apartment block on 6A Lobanovsky Ave. that was hit with a missile on Feb. 26, 2022, in Kyiv, Ukraine. A residential building was hit as missile strikes were reported around Kyiv on the second night of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has killed scores and prompted widespread condemnation from U.S. and European leaders.
A firefighter extinguishes a fire at a residential apartment block that was hit by a missile on Feb. 26, 2022, in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Residents leave the apartment block in 6A Lobanovsky Ave. which was hit with a missile on Feb. 26, 2022, in Kyiv, Ukraine.
A residential building damaged by a missile on Feb. 25, 2022, in Kyiv, Ukraine.
A man looks at damage from a residential apartment building that was hit by a missile on Feb. 26, 2022, in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Ukrainian firefighters look at fragments of a downed aircraft seen in in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. It was unclear whose aircraft crashed and who brought it down amid the Russian invasion in Ukraine. Russia is pressing its invasion of Ukraine to the outskirts of the capital after unleashing airstrikes on cities and military bases and sending in troops and tanks from three sides.
A boy plays on a swing in front of a damaged residential block hit by an early morning missile strike on Feb. 25, 2022, in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Civilian volunteers check their guns at a Territorial Defence unit registration office on Feb. 26, 2022, in Kyiv, Ukraine. Explosions and gunfire were reported around Kyiv on the second night of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Women pass by the apartment block in 6A Lobanovsky Ave. which was hit with a missile on Feb. 26, 2022, in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Volunteers work to make molotov cocktails in the basement of a bomb shelter on Feb. 26, 2022, in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Volunteers work to make molotov cocktails in the basement of a bomb shelter on Feb. 26, 2022, in Kyiv, Ukraine.
A military vehicle with Ukrainian servicemen drives through the road on Feb. 25, 2022, in Kyiv, Ukraine. Yesterday, Russia began a large-scale attack on Ukraine, with Russian troops invading the country from the north, east and south, accompanied by air strikes and shelling. The Ukrainian president said that at least 137 Ukrainian soldiers were killed by the end of the first day.
A residential building damaged by a missile on Feb. 25, 2022, in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Members of the territorial defense battalion set up a machine gun and organize a military redoubt on Feb. 25, 2022, in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Residents try to clear a broken window after returning to a damaged apartment in a residential block hit by an early morning missile strike on Feb. 25, 2022, in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Firemen extinguish a fire inside a residential building that was hit by a missile on Feb. 25, 2022, in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Hundreds of residents from a residential building damaged by a missile gather in a bomb shelter in the basement of a school on Feb. 25, 2022, in Kyiv, Ukraine.
People shelter with their dog in a subway station before a curfew comes into effect on Feb. 24, 2022, in Kyiv, Ukraine. Overnight, Russia began a large-scale attack on Ukraine, with explosions reported in multiple cities and far outside the restive eastern regions held by Russian-backed rebels.
People board a bus as they attempt to evacuate the city on Feb. 24, 2022, in Kyiv, Ukraine. Overnight, Russia began a large-scale attack on Ukraine, with explosions reported in multiple cities and far outside the restive eastern regions held by Russian-backed rebels.
Damaged radar arrays and other equipment is seen at a Ukrainian military facility outside Mariupol, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. Russia has launched a barrage of air and missile strikes on Ukraine early Thursday and Ukrainian officials said that Russian troops have rolled into the country from the north, east and south.
People stand around a damaged structure caused by a rocket on Feb. 24, 2022, in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Flame and smoke rise from the debris of a house in the aftermath of Russian shelling outside Kyiv, Ukraine on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. Russia on Thursday unleashed a barrage of air and missile strikes on Ukrainian facilities across the country.
Inhabitants of Kyiv leave the city following pre-offensive missile strikes of the Russian armed forces and Belarus on Feb. 24, 2022, in Kyiv, Ukraine.
In this image made from video released by the Russian Presidential Press Service, Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the nation in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. Russian troops launched their anticipated attack on Ukraine on Thursday, as Putin cast aside international condemnation and sanctions and warned other countries that any attempt to interfere would lead to "consequences you have never seen."
In this handout photo taken from video released by Ukrainian Police Department Press Service, Military helicopters, apparently Russian, fly over the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. Russian troops have launched their anticipated attack on Ukraine. Big explosions were heard before dawn in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa as world leaders decried the start of a Russian invasion that could cause massive casualties and topple Ukraine's democratically elected government.
Local residents follow the news on their mobile devices in a bomb shelter on Feb. 24, 2022, in Kyiv, Ukraine. Overnight, Russia began a large-scale attack on Ukraine, with explosions reported in multiple cities and far outside the restive eastern regions held by Russian-backed rebels.
A Ukrainian soldier stands next to a military vehicle on a road in Kramatosrk, eastern Ukraine on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. Russian troops launched a wide-ranging attack on Ukraine on Thursday. President Vladimir Putin cast aside international condemnation and sanctions and warned other countries that any attempt to interfere would lead to "consequences you have never seen."
In this image made from video provided by the Border Service of Ukraine, military vehicles pass a control point at the Armyansk checkpoint at the Ukraine-Crimea border, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. The Ukrainian border service on Thursday released video it said showed Russian military vehicles crossing its border from Crimea. In a statement, it added that "the movement of military equipment from the peninsula is being recorded across the administrative border".
Damaged radar arrays and other equipment is seen at Ukrainian military facility outside Mariupol, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022.
A view of the debris of a house and a burned car in the aftermath of Russian shelling, outside Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022.
A man and woman stand next to fragments of military equipment on the street in the aftermath of an apparent Russian strike in Kharkiv in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022.
In this handout photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, center, attends an urgent meeting with the leadership of the government, representatives of the defense sector and the economic block in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. Russian troops have launched their anticipated attack on Ukraine.
Damaged radar, a vehicle and equipment are seen at a Ukrainian military facility outside Mariupol, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022.
A Russian Ka-52 helicopter gunship is seen in the field after a forced landing outside Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. Russia on Thursday unleashed a barrage of air and missile strikes on Ukrainian facilities across the country.
People stand next to fragments of military equipment on the street in the aftermath of an apparent Russian strike in Kharkiv in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. Russian troops have launched their anticipated attack on Ukraine. Big explosions were heard before dawn in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa as world leaders decried the start of an Russian invasion that could cause massive casualties and topple Ukraine's democratically elected government.
Smoke billows from a power and heating plant after it is was shelled in Shchastya, in the Luhansk region, eastern Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022. Russia says it's recognition of independence for areas in eastern Ukraine extends to territory currently held by Ukrainian forces. The statement Tuesday further raises the stakes amid Western fears that Moscow could follow up on Monday’s recognition of rebel regions with a full-fledged invasion of Ukraine.
Protesters hold posters in front of the Russian Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022.
Police stand behind an installation of crosses on which is written "Russian occupier" during a rally against Russia in front of the Russian Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022. Russia says that its recognition of independence for areas in eastern Ukraine extends to territory currently held by Ukrainian forces.
A woman holds her dog as she waits with others to cross from Ukrainian government controlled areas to pro-Russian separatists' controlled territory in Stanytsia Luhanska, the only crossing point open daily, in the Luhansk region, eastern Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022. Russia says it's recognition of independence for areas in eastern Ukraine extends to territory currently held by Ukrainian forces. The statement Tuesday further raises the stakes amid Western fears that Moscow could follow up to Monday’s recognition of rebel regions with a full-fledged invasion of Ukraine.
A family crosses from pro-Russian separatists controlled territory to Ukrainian government controlled areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, the only crossing point open daily, in the Luhansk region, eastern Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022.
Dogs look at an elderly woman who shared food with them while waiting to cross from Ukrainian government controlled areas to pro-Russian separatists' controlled territory in Stanytsia Luhanska, the only crossing point open daily, in the Luhansk region, eastern Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, chairs a Security Council meeting in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Feb. 21, 2022. Putin has convened top officials to consider recognizing the independence of separatist regions in eastern Ukraine. Such a move would ratchet up tensions with the West amid fears that the Kremlin could launch an invasion of Ukraine imminently.
People from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the territory controlled by pro-Russia separatist governments in eastern Ukraine, watch Russian President Vladimir Putin's address at their temporary place in Rostov-on-Don region, Russia, Monday, Feb. 21, 2022. Putin said he would decide later Monday whether to recognize the independence of separatist regions in eastern Ukraine, a move that would ratchet up tensions with the West amid fears that Moscow could launch an invasion of Ukraine imminently.
Displaced civilians from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the territory controlled by pro-Russia separatist governments in eastern Ukraine, rest in a sport hall in Taganrog, Russia, Monday, Feb. 21, 2022. World leaders are making another diplomatic push in hopes of preventing a Russian invasion of Ukraine, even as heavy shelling continues in Ukraine's east.
A car waits to cross a checkpoint from territory controlled by Russia-backed separatists to the territory controlled by Ukrainian forces in Novotroitske, eastern Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 21, 2022. World leaders are making another diplomatic push in hopes of preventing a Russian invasion of Ukraine, even as heavy shelling continues in Ukraine's east.
A boy plays with a weapon as an instructor shows a Kalashnikov assault rifle while training members of a Ukrainian far-right group in Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022. Russia extended military drills near Ukraine's northern borders Sunday amid increased fears of sustained shelling along the contact line between soldiers and Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine could spark an invasion.
Civilians study weapons during a training session by Ukrainian right-wing group Right Sector in a city park in Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022.
Tetyana Tomenko, a local resident, cries standing in front of her damaged house after alleged shelling by separatists forces in Novognativka, eastern Ukraine, Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022. Russia is extending military drills near Ukraine's northern borders after two days of sustained shelling along the contact line between Ukrainian soldiers and Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. The exercises in Belarus, which borders Ukraine to the north, originally were set to end on Sunday.
A Ukrainian serviceman leaves a command post to start his shift at a frontline position outside Popasna, in the Luhansk region, eastern Ukraine, Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022.
Civilians train with members of the Georgian Legion, a paramilitary unit formed mainly by ethnic Georgian volunteers to fight against Russian forces in Ukraine in 2014, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022. Separatist leaders in eastern Ukraine have ordered a full military mobilization amid growing fears in the West that Russia is planning to invade the neighboring country. The announcement on Saturday came amid a spike in violence along the line of contact between Ukrainian forces and the pro-Russia rebels in recent days.
Smoke and flames rise over a field during the Union Courage-2022 Russia-Belarus military drills at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground in Belarus, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022. Russia has deployed troops to its ally Belarus for sweeping joint military drills that run through Sunday, fueling Western concerns that Moscow could use the exercise to attack Ukraine from the north.
Tanks and armored vehicles move during the Union Courage-2022 Russia-Belarus military drills at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground in Belarus, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022.
A Ukrainian serviceman walks by a bullet-riddled wall of a house near the frontline village of Krymske, Luhansk region, in eastern Ukraine, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, facing a sharp spike in violence in and around territory held by Russia-backed rebels and increasingly dire warnings that Russia plans to invade, on Saturday called for Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet him and seek resolution to the crisis.
A Ukrainian serviceman walks by a building which was hit by a large caliber mortar shell in the frontline village of Krymske, Luhansk region, in eastern Ukraine, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022.
In this photo taken from video provided by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022, Russian army tanks are loaded onto railway platforms to move back to their permanent base after drills in Russia. The Russian military said that it was pulling some troops back to their permanent bases after drills in regions near Ukraine, but the U.S. and its allies challenged that and charged that Moscow was actually beefing up troops near Ukraine.
Valentyna Melnychenko walks with members of the Joint Centre for Control and Coordination on ceasefire of the demarcation line, or JCCC, who survey damage to her home from an artillery shell that landed in Vrubivka, one of the at least eight that hit the village today, according to local officials, in the Luhansk region, eastern Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. U.S. President Joe Biden warned that Russia could still invade Ukraine within days and Russia expelled the No. 2 diplomat at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, as tensions flared anew in the worst East-West standoff in decades.
Members of the Joint Centre for Control and Coordination on ceasefire of the demarcation line, or JCCC, take forensic photos of a crater and damage to a house from an artillery shell that landed in Vrubivka, one of the at least eight that hit the village today, according to local officials, in the Luhansk region, eastern Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022.
In this photo taken from video provided by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022, Russian army tanks are loaded onto railway platforms to move back to their permanent base after drills in Russia. Russia says it is returning more troops and weapons to bases, but NATO says it sees no sign of a drawdown as fears that Moscow could invade Ukraine soon persist. Russia has massed about 150,000 troops east, north and south of Ukraine.
Party leaders hope to push the 2,741-page measure, which allocates more than $1 trillion in spending, through the House on Wednesday and the Senate by the end of the week.
Hopes for smooth passage soon faded when some Democratic objected to how prior COVID spending funds would be clawed back resulting in a separate bill that will now face an uncertain fate when it reaches the Senate.
Pelosi wasn’t impressed by the criticism over the COVID relief kerfuffle, considering the circumstances. “Let’s grow up about this, okay? We’re in the legislative process, we have a deadline for keeping the government open, we have a negotiation, and it has to be bipartisan.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said the GOP is happy to join Democrats in passing the bill, noting that it bolsters defense spending as Republicans have long urged.
“It’s an important step,” McConnell said. “It needs to be passed quickly.”
Lawmakers face two urgent deadlines: helping Ukraine before Russia’s military makes it too difficult and to approve the government-wide spending measure by Friday night or face a weekend election-year federal shutdown. As a backstop against delays, the House planned to pass a bill Wednesday keeping agencies afloat through March 15.
