Breakdown of $1.7 Trillion Omnibus Spending Package
One AmericaNov 26, 2022
The Facts
On Friday, the US House approved the $1.7T Omnibus spending bill by a bipartisan vote of 225-201 to avoid a government shutdown ahead of the holidays just hours before financing for federal agencies was due to expire. The bill now moves to Pres. Joe Biden for his expected signature.
Passage of the bill — passed by the Senate yesterday — had hit an impasse Wednesday, when Republicans attempted to insert language that would extend the enforcement of Title 42 immigration policy, a Trump-era rule that allows for immigrants to be removed from the US for concerns around COVID. Progressive Democrats hope to end the rule.
The Spin
Republican narrative
While increased funding for the military and checks on wasteful domestic spending ought to be applauded, the GOP should not have supported the passage of this bloated bill that was rammed through a lame-duck Democratic session. While it wouldn't be pretty, a government shutdown would be preferable if it means that the incoming Republican-controlled House can save Americans from Biden's unchecked wastefulness.
Democratic narrative
The passing of this legislation is a big win for democracy, as the bipartisan reform of the Electoral Count Act would stop Trump and other reckless leaders from attempting to undermine the Constitution, making the nation safer from tyranny in the process. Democrats should celebrate securing funding for US allies overseas, government programs for everyday Americans, and, most importantly, passing a budget before obstructionist Republicans take control of the House.
Cynical narrative
In a skillful piece of political theater, both Democrats and Republicans get to declare victory for an enormous, inflationary spending bill. Taxpayers will have to pick up the tab after 4,000 pages of spending increases are rammed through both houses. These mountains of cash are being shoveled into bloated government agencies with reckless abandon, as irrelevant policy measures are snuck into a piece of legislation no lawmaker will actually read.
