House clears omnibus bill, sending it to Biden
The House on Friday voted to advance Congress' $1.7 trillion spending package, just one day after it cleared the Senate by a 69-29 margin. The bill will now head to President Biden to be signed into law.
In passing the funding legislation, Congress successfully avoided a government shutdown that was set to take effect at midnight on Friday. Both the House and Senate also approved a one-week deadline extension, thereby affording Biden some extra time to sign, CNN notes.
The bill includes billions in aid for Ukraine, billions in domestic spending, and an onslaught in military funding, among other provisions, like an overhaul to federal election law and a policy to ban TikTok from government devices. Overall, it keeps the government funded through next fall.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"We have a big bill here, because we have big needs for our country," outgoing Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said from the House floor. "At the same time — please to put a penny in the old man's hat — we address the needs of America's working families, with special focus on our children."
But Pelosi's Republican counterpart — Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) — was none too pleased with the package: "This is a monstrosity. It is one of the most shameful acts I have ever seen in this body," he added ahead of the vote, claiming lawmakers should have waited until Republicans took over the House in January.
Biden has promised to sign the bill "as soon as it reaches my desk."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How will Israel respond to Iran's direct attack?
Speed Read Iran’s weekend attack on Israel could escalate into a wider Middle East war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US, Israel brace for Iran retaliatory strikes
Speed Read An Iranian attack on Israel is believed to be imminent
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Congress honors real-life Rosie the Riveters
Speed Read These American women reshaped the work force during World War II
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Outgunned Ukraine could fall, US general warns
Speed Read Without more US aid, Ukraine is at risk of losing the war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
House GOP scuttles FISA vote at Trump's urging
Speed Read Right-wing lawmakers blocked Speaker Mike Johnson's surveillance bill
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published