Senate approves $459B spending package despite rejection of conservative amendments
The Senate Approves $459 Billion Spending Plan, Rejects Conservative Amendments
The Senate has approved a $459 billion spending plan in a 75-22 vote, funding several prominent government departments and agencies. This comes after the rejection of a number of conservative-backed amendments.
The spending package, which faced opposition from 21 Republican senators and Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), will provide funding for the Defense Department, Department of Veteran Affairs, Agriculture Department, FDA, Transportation Department, Department of Housing and Urban Development, FBI, EPA, and ATF.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) celebrated the passage of the bill, and it now awaits President Joe Biden’s signature on Saturday.
“To folks who worry that divided government means nothing ever gets done, this bipartisan package says otherwise,” Schumer said.
The bill, criticized by conservative lawmakers for its inclusion of earmarks, was passed just before a deadline that could have resulted in a partial government shutdown.
Notably, Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), and Sen. John Thune (R-SD) all supported the bill, with the latter two running to replace McConnell.
However, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) voiced his criticism, highlighting the bipartisan consensus to add to the national debt.
“A lot of people don’t understand this. They think there is no cooperation in Washington and the opposite is true. There is compromise every day on every spending bill,” Paul said. “It’s compromise between big-government Democrats and big-government Republicans.”
One failed amendment, proposed by Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN), aimed to prevent illegal aliens from being counted towards congressional seats and electoral votes. Hagerty accused Democrats of compromising Americans’ voting rights by supporting illegal immigration.
Other Republican amendments included efforts to remove earmarks from the bill and block the FDA’s promotion of the abortion drug mifepristone.
“Earmarks incentivize the wrong thing in Congress — spending too much money — by rewarding senators and representatives for supporting bloated & otherwise-problematic spending bills.” – Sen. Mike Lee
The Senate’s approval of the spending package follows the House’s earlier approval, despite opposition from conservative lawmakers who believed it did not cut enough spending.
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What government departments and agencies are included in the $459 billion spending plan recently approved by the Senate?
The Senate has recently approved a significant $459 billion spending plan in a 75-22 vote, which will fund various government departments and agencies. However, this approval comes after the rejection of numerous conservative-backed amendments, indicating a divide within the Senate.
The spending package encompasses funding for several key entities, including the Defense Department, Department of Veteran Affairs, Agriculture Department, FDA, Transportation Department, Department of Housing and Urban Development, FBI, EPA, and ATF. While the plan was ultimately supported, it faced opposition from 21 Republican senators and Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT).
Following the passage of the bill, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) expressed his satisfaction with the outcome. He celebrated the bipartisan nature of the package and emphasized that it disproves the notion that divided government leads to a lack of progress. These sentiments were echoed by Schumer in his statement, “To folks who worry that divided government means nothing ever gets done, this bipartisan package says otherwise.”
Despite the bill’s success, it has not been without criticisms. Conservative lawmakers are particularly concerned about the inclusion of earmarks, which they argue should have been excluded. Earmarks refer to specific projects or funding allocations directed towards particular districts or constituencies. Nevertheless, the bill was passed just before a looming deadline that could have resulted in a partial government shutdown, avoiding such a scenario.
As the $459 billion spending plan awaits President Joe Biden’s signature, it is expected to receive his approval, given the support it garnered in the Senate. This legislation will provide much-needed funds for crucial sectors of the government, allowing them to continue their operations and fulfill their respective mandates effectively.
Overall, the approval of this spending package and the subsequent rejection of conservative amendments highlights the nuanced dynamics of the Senate. It reflects the challenges faced in achieving consensus within a diverse and divided legislative body. Nonetheless, this bipartisan success serves as a testament to the potential for collaboration and progress in the face of political differences.
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