The House of Representatives has passed the $1.7 trillion “omnibus” spending bill by a vote of 225-201-1. Nine Republicans voted for the bill.
The nine House Republicans that voted yes: Liz Cheney (WY), Rodney Davis (IL), Brian Fitzpatrick (AL), Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA), Chris Jacobs (NY), John Katko (NY), Adam Kinzinger (IL), Fred Upton (MI), and Steve Womack (AR).
The vote came in the aftermath of the U.S. senate passing the massive package with the aid of 18 Senate Republicans. Republican Sens. Roy Blunt (MO), John Boozman (AR), Shelley Moore Capito (WV), Susan Collins (ME), John Cornyn (TX), Tom Cotton (AR), Lindsey Graham (SC), Jim Inhofe (OK), Mitch McConnell (KY), Jerry Moran (KS), Lisa Murkowski (AK), Robert Portman (OH), Mitt Romney (UT), Mike Rounds (SD), Richard Shelby (AL), John Thune (SD), Roger Wicker (MS) and Todd Young (IN) all voted in favor of the legislation. The final vote on the 4,155-page bill was 68-29.
The omnibus spending package included billions in military and government aid for Ukraine, major handouts for special interests, and even gun control measures.
Before the vote, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in what she said was “probably” her last floor speech as speaker, praised the bill’s spending for veterans, aid to Ukraine and its reforms to the Electoral Count Act, which makes it harder for candidates to contest presidential elections.
“This is truly a package for the people,” Pelosi said.
Wasteful spending examples include $575 million towards ‘family planning’ and ‘reproductive health,’ $1.2 million for centers that support LGBTQ students at a San Diego Community College District, $3 million towards the New York Historical Society’s ‘American LGBTQ+ Museum Partnership Project,’ $750,000 to the Translatin Coalition, and even funding for a brand new “pandemic czar.
In addition, there were increases for the federal government’s gun control measures, including an expansion of a firearms database that is accessible by foreign governments.
Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) slammed the omnibus spending bill on the House floor: “What you see here on the floor of the House of Representatives should make everybody ashamed!”
Follow Kyle Becker on Twitter @kylenabecker.
