Washington Update March 16, 2022

by | Mar 16, 2022 | Family Voices, Washington Update

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a budget!

Late last week, the Senate passed a $1.5 trillion omnibus spending package (text; summary). The 2700 page bill combines 12 appropriations bills and will fund the federal government through the end of its fiscal year in September 2022. $14 billion in aid for Ukraine was included in the bill, along with increases in non-defense and defense programs. A $15.6 billion COVID response provision was dropped from the bill and Democrats will try to move standalone legislation this week. Republican lawmakers oppose additional COVID-19 aid that will increase the deficit. To break a filibuster, 10 GOP senators must vote for the bill. Notably, this bill marks the return of “earmarks” in which members of congress can earmark appropriations funding for specific projects in their home states.

Now onto the FY 2023 budget!

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