House passes spending package to avoid shutdown

The Republican-led House of Representatives approved a collection of funding bills in a 339-85 vote on Wednesday afternoon. The group of six bills offers funding to the federal departments of Agriculture, Justice, Veterans Affairs, and Urban Development, to name a few. The measure passed despite a call from the GOP House Freedom Caucus to block the package, citing the hefty price tag. “Despite giving Democrats higher spending levels, the omnibus text released so far punts on nearly every single Republican policy priority,” the caucus wrote. The 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act now moves to the Senate for approval.

What has the Senate said about the package?  Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer shared his plan to fast-track the bills during remarks made Wednesday on the Senate floor. “As soon as the House passes these appropriations bills,” he said, “I will put the bills on the floor so we can pass them…with time to spare before Friday’s deadline.” Schumer emphasized the importance of bipartisan cooperation, reminding senators that additional spending bills still need approval before March 22. Both funding bills total $1.66 trillion in spending for the 2024 fiscal year, down from last year’s $1.7 trillion in discretionary spending.

Dig deeper: Read Leo Briceno’s report in The Stew for more on the 2024 Appropriations Act.