$1.2 Trillion Government Spending Package Approved by U.S. Senate in Overnight Vote, Awaits Biden’s Signature – Pennsylvania Capital-Star
TL/DR –
The US Senate has approved a $1.2 trillion spending package for fiscal year 2024 in a 74-24 bipartisan vote, which will now be sent to President Biden for his signature. The decision was made six months behind schedule and caused a minor funding lapse that isn’t expected to have a significant effect. The package includes funding for several large federal programs as well as smaller entities, and the spending bills encompass earmarks, commonly known as community project funding or congressionally directed spending.
After missing a midnight deadline, the U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan $1.2 trillion spending package early Saturday, moving the legislation to President Biden for approval. Despite being six months behind schedule on the fiscal year 2024 government funding process, the legislation, approved by a 74-24 vote, was expected to have little real effect on existing structures.
Biden was expected to sign the bill on Saturday after a minor funding lapse. U.S. Sens. Bob Casey and John Fetterman of Pennsylvania also voted to approve the spending package.
Senator Patty Murray, the Senate Appropriations Chair, described the legislation as a testament to bipartisan cooperation, enabling critical investments in families, the economy, and national security. Ranking member Senator Susan Collins underscored the package’s support for working families, border security, and efforts to combat criminal organizations.
Amendments Rejected
The Senate approved the 1,012-page spending package following the rejection of several GOP amendments. Had they passed, the bill would have needed another House vote, extending the funding lapse. The U.S. House of Representatives had approved the legislation in a 286-134 vote earlier Friday morning.
Congress approves $1.2 trillion spending package before deadline
The package includes funding for federal programs and departments like Defense, Education, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Labor, State, and Treasury, and also for smaller entities like Congress, the Executive Office, judiciary, and Social Security Administration.
The spending bills include community project funding or congressionally directed spending. Earmarks for the Financial Services and General Government bill, Homeland Security bill, and the Labor-HHS-Education bill can be accessed here, here, and here respectively. Additional reporting on these six government bills can be found here.
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