Congressional leaders unveil bill to fund government, Johnson and Schumer both claim winsLawmakers are finally rolling out a bill to fund part of the federal government for fiscal year 2024 on Sunday, bringing Congress closer to averting a partial government shutdown come March 8.
If passed it will take Congress another step toward ending a battle that's led to historic levels of dysfunction, particularly within the House of Representatives.
The 1,050-page legislation is a package of six bills dealing with departments and agencies whose funding expires on Friday – dealing with agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); the Departments of Justice and Commerce; Energy and Water Development; the Department of the Interior; and Transportation and housing.
Both Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., were quick to claim victory after the deal was announced.
Johnson’s office touted modest cuts to key agencies that have been criticized by conservatives, including a 10% cut to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a 6% cut to the FBI, and a 7% cut to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).
On the policy front, Republican leaders say it would also prevent the Department of Justice from going after parents who speak out at school board meetings.
The fact that the bill also separates the 12 total appropriations bills into at least two separate packages is also a big win for Johnson, who has pledged to avoid a massive "omnibus" spending bill that nearly all Republicans have opposed. It's the first time since 2018 that Congress did not pass an all-in-one bill, according to Johnson's office.
Schumer, meanwhile, said in a statement that the bill "fully funds" a federal food program aimed at women, infants and children (WIC) and includes infrastructure investments.
Both touted additional help for U.S. military veterans. ..............
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/congressional-leaders-unveil-bill-fund-government-johnson-schumer-both-claim-wins
