House approves last spending bills amid Republican resistance

The House ​Takes Decisive Action to Prevent Shutdown

The House made a significant move⁤ on Friday by passing​ the final portion of its annual appropriations bills. This crucial ‍step, just hours before federal funding​ faced potential lapses,‌ highlights the government’s ​commitment to avoid a⁢ shutdown affecting numerous agencies.

Lawmakers approved the $1.2 trillion spending bill with⁤ a 286-134 vote, surpassing the two-thirds threshold⁢ required for ⁢progression.

Despite facing strong opposition from Republican‌ representatives, the spending package successfully cleared ⁢the House, albeit ⁢with less than half of the ‍GOP‌ conference backing⁣ the measure.

A Comprehensive Funding Package to Sustain Vital Services

The passed ⁤legislation, known as a ​”minibus,” consolidates⁤ funding for six⁤ critical spending bills covering key departments like Defense, State, Labor, Health, Homeland ​Security, and foreign operations. This comprehensive package spans approximately 70% of the federal government, effectively concluding the fiscal 2024 appropriations process nearly half a year after its commencement.

Both Republican and Democratic leaders have hailed the ⁤legislation as a victory in the lead-up to its House approval. ‍Nevertheless, some staunch Republicans criticize it as a display ‌of⁢ inadequate ​leadership, with accusations leveled at House‍ Speaker Mike Johnson for ⁤allegedly failing to secure essential⁤ GOP provisions in the meticulously negotiated 1,012-page bill.

• Winning Concessions for Stronger Border Security

Republican leaders highlight the bill’s‌ achievements in border security, securing funding for additional border agents,‌ a substantial spending boost for border ‌technology, and reduced federal funding for NGOs providing aid to immigrants on‌ asylum claims.

Democrats, on the ‍other⁢ hand, negotiated⁢ the exclusion of significant⁢ aspects of the GOP’s border-focused bill in the final spending legislation. This omission, particularly ​concerning‌ H.R. 2, has sparked controversy among some ‍Republican factions who⁢ abstained from supporting the bill.

Notably, Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) criticized the ‌bill, decrying the perceived lack of Republican leadership and describing it‍ as an “abomination.”

Despite the bill’s bipartisan support, 22 Democrats dissented, particularly objecting to provisions related to ⁣Israel and border security.

The next stage sees the spending bill proceeding to the Senate for further deliberation before ⁣potentially ​reaching President Joe Biden’s desk. ⁢Any ⁢objections in the Senate could spell delays in passage, bringing uncertainty to the timeline before the bill undergoes‍ the final vote.

The impending threat‌ of a government shutdown ⁤at 12:01 a.m. ‌on Saturday looms, emphasizing​ the pressing need for prompt and unified action in the Senate.

Stay informed by reading⁤ more from The ⁢Washington ⁢Examiner.

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