On Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed the $1.7 trillion government funding package avoiding a partial government shutdown. The twelve-bill Consolidated Appropriations Act will fully fund the government through the end of the 2023 fiscal year. The package passed the House 225 to 201. Most House Republicans opposed the bill.
U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell voted to pass the Fiscal Year 2023 omnibus government funding package citing benefits for Alabama’s Seventh Congressional District, including language from at least six bills that she led or co-led.
“The programs that we choose to fund in the annual appropriations package are a direct reflection of the values that we as a nation hold dear,” said Rep. Sewell in an email to Alabama Today. “With this year’s government funding package we’re uplifting working families, creating jobs, strengthening our economy, and protecting democracy at home and abroad. The package also makes key investments critical to the success of Alabama’s 7th District including in health care, broadband, wastewater infrastructure, food and housing assistance, Civil Rights historic preservation, and our cherished HBCUs.”
“I’m thrilled that this package includes several of my own bills to strengthen and expand access to health care for Alabama’s rural communities,” continued Sewell. “I know that these bills will make a big difference for our rural Alabamians and the health care providers who serve them.”
Congressman Robert Aderholt released a statement after casting a no vote against the $1.7 trillion spending bill.
“While there were parts of this omnibus package that I endorsed and fought for, ultimately, Democrats pursued a process that made the package impossible for me to support,” Aderholt said in a press release. “This eleventh hour omnibus continues a reckless spending pattern. It will increase inflation, it fails to address the crisis at the border, and leaves Americans with sky-high energy costs. Going forward, I am hopeful that the new Republican-led Majority in the House will allow us to pass government funding bills on time, that address our nation’s most pressing problems and abide by the conservative principles which constituents in Alabama’s 4th Congressional District hold dear.”
U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer also voted against the bill.
“Passing a $1.7 trillion spending bill days before Christmas is government at its very worst,” Palmer said in an email sent to Alabama Today. “This over 4,000-page bill fails to address issues that matter most to the American people. Our border is left open during a record wave of illegal immigration. Almost $4 billion is spent on energy assistance programs while Democrats continue to vilify widely available forms of energy and drive-up costs. The $800 billion aimed at non-defense spending is the highest level in the history of the nation while our country is experiencing inflation at 7.1% compared to last year. These are just a few examples of why I cannot support this bill or the broken process that produced it.”
U.S. Rep. Barry Moore similarly voted no.
“This bill not only continues or increases funding for the Biden administration’s most dangerous policies, but because the vote occurred after the November elections, Democrats were unshackled by accountability from the voters and free to include even more radical programs from their wish list,” said Moore in a statement. “I was encouraged at the overwhelming opposition from the American people to this disastrous legislation, but it was disappointing to watch so many of their elected representatives sign off on whatever was necessary to get home for the holidays. With so many Senate Republicans time and again unwilling to go to the mat for our voters, House Republicans must take the lead in the next Congress fighting for the interests of the American people.”
The package includes over $47 billion in support for Ukraine, bringing the total that American taxpayers have spent subsidizing the Eastern European war to over $100 billion. The bill also includes $15 billion in earmarks for individual members’ pet projects.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Related
