WASHINGTON – House appropriators breathed a sigh of relief Friday as the House narrowly passed the massive $1.2 trillion wrapup spending package under suspension of the rules, which requires a two-thirds majority.
The chamber passed the 1,012-page bill by a vote of 286-134, with 101 Republicans and all but 22 Democrats backing the bill. It would provide appropriations for agencies covered under the Defense, Financial Services, Homeland Security, Labor-HHS-Education, Legislative Branch and State-Foreign Operations bills, or about 70% of annual discretionary funding.
That tally is lower than the 339-85 vote to pass the first six-bill package earlier this month, though that bill included less controversial spending measures. This time, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., wasn’t able to get a majority of his GOP conference on board for the second package, with 112 Republicans opposing it. […]
Click here to read to the full piece. This story was originally published by Miami Herald on March 23, 2024.
