The US Congress is close to a deal to help Ukraine and fund the US government

US Congressional negotiators are close today to reaching agreement on a bill to provide Ukraine with billions of dollars in emergency aid in addition to US government funding through September 30.

The White House had requested 10 billion dollars in emergency aid to Ukraine after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a desperate plea to help members of the US Congress directly. Democrats had hoped to use strong popular support to help Ukraine pressure Republicans to pass the sweeping bill that funds the government after four bills this fiscal year that temporarily extended funding levels the previous year.