Congressional Appropriations Bills for 2024
Congress unveiled the first six appropriations bills to fund various government departments for most of 2024, totaling over $450 billion. Republicans secured conservative policy victories, while Democrats pushed for increased funding for programs like the WIC nutrition assistance program.
Key Points
- Bipartisan funding for Departments of Agriculture, Interior, Transportation, Housing, Urban Development, Veterans Affairs, Justice, Commerce, and Energy
- Need for both chambers of Congress to pass the bills to avert a government shutdown
- Struggle between Republicans and Democrats on various funding issues
- Inclusion of both wins and losses for Republicans and Democrats in the funding package
Pros
- Bipartisan effort to fund various government departments
- Securing key conservative policy victories by Republicans
- Increased funding for the WIC nutrition assistance program for moms and babies
Cons
- Struggles between Republicans and Democrats on touchy subjects like budgets for Defense, health programs, and education
- 605 pages of earmarks disliked by conservatives
- Pressure on Speaker Mike Johnson to present Republican wins