Omnibus spending bill passes House, headed to Biden

The House voted 225-201 today to pass a $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill for fiscal year 2023, sending the legislation to President Biden for his signature and averting a government shutdown slated for Friday at midnight.

The bill would appropriate $858 billion for national defense in FY-23, with $300 billion for Pentagon modernization and $45 billion in emergency supplemental funding to aid Ukraine.

The bill increases Pentagon procurement by more than $17 billion above what lawmakers enacted in FY-22, while research and development is increased by more than $20 billion.

The final FY-23 topline is nearly 10% higher than what was appropriated for national defense in FY-22, an increase many lawmakers argued was needed to combat historic inflation.

The bill passed the Senate earlier this week 68-29 but ran into heavy GOP opposition in the House, where lawmakers argued they were being sidelined prior to claiming a majority next year. Speeches on the House floor made clear that many partisan battles still lie ahead for the lower chamber.

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), who is vying to become the next House speaker, said on the House floor that the omnibus is a “disgrace.”

“In 11 days, this all changes,” he said. “A new direction is coming. In 11 days, Republicans will deliver.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) responded to McCarthy’s criticism.

“It was sad to hear the minority leader earlier say that this legislation is the most shameful thing to be seen on the House floor in this Congress,” she said. “I can’t help but wonder, had he forgotten January 6th?”

Lawmakers have also “deemed” passed a short-term continuing resolution that would extend stopgap government funding through Dec. 30 in the event the massive omnibus bill cannot be enrolled and signed by Biden in time for the deadline Friday night.