Spending Bill Creates “Nancy Pelosi Federal Building”

Democratic leaders are scrambling to get their massive $1.7 trillion omnibus government spending bill across the finish line before the end of this week, with some Republicans pushing back against unrelated measures they argue are unnecessary to include.

Among the 4,155-page spending bill is a number of measures that would designate certain buildings or programs to be named after top lawmakers, such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), who is stepping down from her leadership role next month. As part of the spending bill, the legislation would name the San Francisco federal building at 90 7th Street after the California Democrat. Pelosi is among those who have urged the passing of the government funding bill.

SPEAKER SENDOFF: PELOSI GRANTED NEW TITLE AND CAPITOL ROOM

“It is urgent and necessary that we enact this omnibus package so that we may keep government open and delivering for America’s families,” Pelosi said in a statement.

Other Democratic leaders were also honored as part of the legislation, including Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), who is retiring next month. As part of the government funding bill, the legislation would rename the “Access to Local Foods: Farm to School Program” to become the “Access to Local Foods: Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program.”

The bill would also rename the Lake Champlain Basin Program to become the Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program, and it would allocate $30 million to go toward the Patrick Leahy Bullet-Proof Vest Partnership Grant Program.

Going further, the bill also seeks to honor Republican Sen. Richard Shelby by renaming the FBI building located in Alabama after the state’s senior senator, who is also retiring.

A handful of Republicans rejected the spending bill, decrying it as a move by Democrats to increase spending amid record-high inflation.

“I guess there are still a few things in Alabama that have yet to be named after Richard Shelby,” said Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) on Tuesday.

However, Shelby supported the spending bill, urging fellow lawmakers to pass the legislation to avert a government shutdown.

“This process was far from perfect, but ultimately it allowed Republican red lines to be adhered to, and because of that, I will urge my colleagues to support this package,” Shelby said.

Republicans also fired off against an earmark provision in the spending bill that would allocate roughly $3.6 million to go toward the Michelle Obama Trail located in Georgia.

“The Democrats’ reckless omnibus bill spends YOUR money on a ‘Michelle Obama Trail,’ a ‘Ukraine Independence Park’ in DC, and a ‘Speaker Pelosi Federal Building’ in San Francisco. Are you ok with all of this?” said Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) in a tweet.

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Other Republicans chimed in, vowing to “strip every earmark out of this bill.”

Lawmakers have until midnight on Friday to pass a funding bill in order to avoid a government shutdown.