What’s in the huge $1.7 trillion long-term government spending package?

Washington – On Monday, congressional negotiators unveiled details of a $1.7 trillion government spending package that would fund federal agencies through September 2023, setting a final legislative battle at the end of the legislative session.

The sweeping measures, which Republican and Democratic leaders are looking to pass by Friday, include $772.5 billion in domestic priorities, a $68 billion increase in spending and $858 billion in defense, and passed Congress last week. consistent with the levels set in the Defense Policy Bill passed by

and 4,155 pagesthe bill includes the priorities of members of both parties and the White House. 3,200 projects It was driven by Democrats, according to Connecticut House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rosa De Lauro.

But excluded from the gigantic proposal was President Biden’s request Provide an additional $10 billion in emergency assistance to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious diseases.

Congressional leaders are working to get the bill passed in both houses by December 22, a deadline set by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, but critics of the tight timeline and scale of the plan It faces opposition from Republicans in the House and Senate. And speed through Congress.

For a bill to pass the Senate, 10 Republican senators must vote in favor of it.

Here’s a summary of what the $1.7 trillion long-term spending commitments include:

$45 billion for Ukraine

The $45 billion in emergency aid to help Ukraine respond to Russian aggression is more than the $37.7 billion the White House requested from Congress in November.

In addition to humanitarian and military aid, this provision includes approximately $13 billion in economic assistance to Ukraine and countries affected by the ongoing war.

Nearly $40 billion in disaster relief

Natural Disaster Relief is for communities affected by recent hurricanes such as Hurricanes Ian and Fiona, wildfires, floods and droughts.

Disaster Relief includes $1 billion to improve Puerto Rico’s power grid and $600 million to respond to disasters. water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi.

Revision of the Electoral Number Law

The package includes plans by Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia Democrat and Rep. Susan Collins of Maine Republican to change the electoral count law.

Their bill, the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvements Act, was announced on Jan. 6 after a mob of former President Donald Trump supporters obstructed state electoral college vote counts and tried to stop Congress. attack on the US Capitol. From reaffirming Mr. Biden’s victory.

The proposal would clarify that the Vice President’s role during a joint session of Congress where Representatives and Senators meet to count the electoral votes would be “predominantly ministerial,” and that the Vice President would be “single-deciding.” , accept, reject, adjudicate or resolve disputes over the validity of electors or the voting of electors.

The measure also raises the challenge requirement for state electoral votes from one Representative and one Senate to 20% of members in each house, allowing states to transmit illegal election results to Congress, Prevent delays or delays in sending legitimate results.

Ban on TikTok on government phones

Incorporated into Omnibus’ spending plan is Republican Senator Josh Hawley’s “TikTok Ban on Government Devices Act.”of measurement The social media app TikTok should be removed from devices used by federal agencies and military branches.

This clause names all services developed or provided by TikTok and the app’s Chinese-owned parent company, ByteDance.

More than 10 states recently banned the use of TikTok on state government phones.

Increased Security for Members of Parliament and the Capitol

Amid growing threats to lawmakers, US$9.5 million to bolster Capitol Police “investigative and protective capabilities” at his San Francisco home in the wake of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s assault on her husband, Paul Pelosi , offering $734.5 million. By division, it’s an increase of $132 million.

The funds will allow the employment of up to 137 sworn officers and 123 support or civilian personnel, bringing the size of the force to 2,126 sworn officers and 567 civilians.

spending agreement including $2.5 million for the “Housing Security Systems Program” developed by Senate Sgt. The program aims to mitigate “increased risks to the physical security of the senator’s residence” in Washington and his home state. budget documentsThe program “identifies threat and risk vulnerabilities” in senator housing.

This omnibus package calls for increased member protections, with Capitol Police contributing $6 million in general expenses to increase member protections. This includes a security program for congressional leaders, expanded services from the VIP Protection Division, and expanded field offices for the Capitol Police Department. .

An additional $2 million will be provided for Capitol Police salaries and security for non-Washington members for good reason.

To further strengthen the Capitol as a result of the recommendations made following the January 6 attacks, the legislation would add $403 million ($341 million) to Capitol Police buildings, grounds and security. increase) is offered.

Guidance on Location of New FBI Headquarters

As lawmakers in Maryland and Virginia clash over the location of the new FBI headquarters, a Senate Democratic aide said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had told the director of the General Services Administration (GSA) to “implement It helped the language of intermediaries in long-term spending packages that demanded We will conduct separate, in-depth consultations with individuals representing sites in Maryland and Virginia to further consider perspectives related to mission requirements, sustainable sites, and equity.

After these consultations, the GSA chief can proceed with the site selection process, the bill says.

Other terms

If approved by Congress, the bill would allow funds allocated to the Internal Revenue Service to be used to provide “passenger transportation and protection” between the IRS Director’s home and IRS headquarters in Washington. is.

The package also provides $2.5 million for “repairs, alterations and improvements” to White House residences.

The plan will also rename the Federal Building in San Francisco to the “Speaker Nancy Pelosi Federal Building.” Pelosi, who has represented the region in Congress for more than 30 years, announced In November, she announced that she would not be seeking another term as leader of the House Democrats.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/whats-in-the-1-7-trillion-omnibus-spending-package/ What’s in the huge $1.7 trillion long-term government spending package?

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