Lawmakers reach deal on framework for omnibus spending package
The much-awaited deal between lawmakers and the framework for an Omnibus Package to Fund the Government for Fiscal 2023 has been reached.
Senator Appropriations Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said Tuesday night that negotiators had reached a bipartisan, bilateral framework that should enable them to complete an Omnibus Appropriations Bill that can be passed the House and Senate and signed by the President.
Leahy stated that he reached a deal with Richard Shelby, Vice Chairman of Senate Appropriations Committee (R-Ala.), and Rosa DeLauro, Chairwoman of House Appropriations Committee (D-Conn.).
DeLauro stated that “we have a framework which provides a pathway forward to enacting an Omnibus next week” and that both the Senate Appropriations Committees “work around-the-clock” to negotiate the final spending bills in 2023.
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“The pain caused by inflation is real and is felt right now across the federal government as well as in American families. Leahy stated that we cannot delay our efforts and that a two-month continual resolution will not provide any relief.
The Friday deadline for government funding is midnight. To prevent a shutdown, lawmakers will need to pass a short-term funding bill, also known as a continuing resolution. On Wednesday, the House will pass a stopgap spending bill that would allow the government to continue functioning through December 23rd. This would give lawmakers and negotiators enough time to pass an omnibus package. Shortly thereafter, the Senate will move the bill independently.
The Omnibus package would establish spending until Sept. 30, also known to be the end of fiscal year.
There are still many issues to be resolved. None of the negotiators gave any details about the framework or the top-line figure. Discussions were dominated by the discrepancy between defense and domestic spending. Both are expected to receive a significant boost from current levels of spending.
Republicans are battling to determine how long the continuing resolution that was passed last week will be in effect. House GOP leaders want a temporary solution that can last until January, when Republicans have the majority. This will give them greater control over the funding bill. Last week, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Republican from Kentucky) suggested that this might be possible given the slow pace at which talks between Shelby and DeLauro have been moving toward a top-line funding bill.
House Republican leaders Tuesday urged their members to vote no on the continuing resolution for one week in an effort to gain more control of the process and move the matter into the new year.
“This one-week continual resolution is an attempt at buying additional time for massive lame duck spending bills in which House Republicans had no seat at negotiating table,” House Minority whip Steve Scalise (R-La.). In a whip notice, the office stated that.
On Tuesday, top Senate Republicans had stated that negotiators needed to act quickly to reach a deal before Christmas break.
“Soon,” Sen. John Thune (S.D. The No. 2 Senate Republican, spoke out to reporters about when a deal was necessary in order for things to be wrapped up before the holiday.
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