Senators Agree On $1.7 Trillion Omnibus Spending Bill After Months Of Negotiations

The Senate came to an agreement on Thursday morning setting up a vote to pass the $1.7 trillion omnibus government spending bill.

The bill is expected to be passed on Thursday and voted on in the House on Friday in an effort to avoid a shutdown that kicks in on Friday night.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) has Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Arizona) to thank for the final push-through as she introduced an amendment to a Covid-era Trump administration immigration policy, which is an issue that had been holding up the legislation as Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) fought to tie Homeland Security funding to the protection of Title 42. Title 42 allows federal officers to turn away asylum seekers on the grounds of public health. Sinema’s amendment includes an increase in border funding and the provision of resources for communities on the border while also extending Title 42, providing another option for centrist Democrats like Sens. Jon Tester (D-Montana) and Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia).

“We have an agreement now. We will vote on all of the amendments in order and then vote on final passage,” Schumer said from the Senate floor. “It has taken a while, but it is worth it and I appreciate the cooperation of everyone here.”

The spending package is aimed at increasing the Pentagon’s budget by 10 percent, aiding Ukraine and laying out $40 billion in funding for disaster aid.

Both Lee and Sinema’s amendments will go to vote and senators are expecting to work a late night on Thursday to ensure the vote goes through.

Article by Rose Carter